The South Memphis community was rocked in January 2023 when the body of 27-year-old school secretary Larry Thorn was found behind a church on Gold Avenue. Thorn, who worked at A. Maceo Walker Middle School and coached the pom-pom team while helping with the band, had been fatally shot and his body was set on fire. He was remembered at the school for his radiant spirit and for being one of the first warm faces to greet students and staff each day.

Investigators later arrested a suspect who was a minor at the time of the alleged offense. The individual, identified as 17-year-old Estes Anderson, had been mentored by Thorn. Prosecutors say DNA and photos from Thorn’s phone linked Anderson to the scene. A judge granted a motion to transfer Anderson’s case to adult court, and he faces charges including second-degree murder and abuse of a corpse.

Does anyone with knowledge of Thorn’s work at the school or his mentorship of local youth have information that could help clarify what happened?