MELISSA MICHELLE "MISSY" WARD

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Defendant Christopher J. Johnson
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Update: On January 28, 2016, the Hamilton County Grand Jury indicted 52-year old Christopher Jeffre Johnson on one count of First Degree Murder in this case. On April 10, 2017, Johnson entered guilty pleas to the murder of Melissa Ward and the double murder of Sean and Donny Goetcheus. He is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. 

Melissa "Missy" Ward was reported missing on November 2, 2004. 

The 33-year old Chattanooga woman had last been seen a few days before. 
Witnesses say they saw her around 7pm on October 29, 2004, at the Bi-Lo on 23rd Street. 

She was wearing a blue dress and no shoes, and got into a late model red Ford pickup with a white camper top. The driver of the truck was described as a white male, in his mid 50s, with salt & pepper hair. 

On December 05, 2004 the decomposed body of Missy Ward was found on Cash Canyon Road in Hamilton County. 

Missy left behind two young sons. 
Original Investigating Agency: Hamilton County Sheriff's Office

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