Edward Forton, a prominent male interior designer, was found critically stabbed in the abdomen on Gay Street at Vine Avenue in Knoxville in the early morning of July 19, 1981. At about 5:30 a.m. he was seen staggering from his car and then collapsed; he died a month later from his wounds.

Why Forton was in that part of town, described at the time as having a less than savory reputation and distant from his home and business, has never been explained. Investigators have not publicly stated a motive, it is unknown whether anything was taken, and no arrests or suspects have ever been publicly identified.

The case remains open but cold, leaving many unanswered questions about who attacked him and why. If anyone knew Edward, saw him in Knoxville around July 19, 1981, or has information about that area that night, please come forward.