by Monty Hamilton

Created on: January 09, 2008

The Leoma Patterson scandal is definitely one for the books. It is an unsolved murder mystery in which the murderer has been caught, and the mystery lies in who lies beneath Leoma Patterson's tombstone, because many believe it's not Leoma.

Who is Leoma Patterson? A divorcee, who went missing.

What is the Leoma Patterson scandal? Six months after Leoma went missing some children found a cluster dog-chewed human bones with some jewelry and a mat of hair nearby. The bones were concluded to be Leoma's. Her great-nephew later confessed to killing her, but the family expressed doubts as to whether the bones were Leoma's, so the bones were exhumed, but DNA tests of the bones proved inconclusive. However, the DNA tests of the mat of hair were an almost perfect match. One question still lingers, though. Her great-nephew says he killed her by beating her in the head with a tire iron yet the skull found is in perfect condition with no fractures.

When did the scandal take place? Leoma was last seen October 20, 1978. Her bones were found March 12, 1979. Her great-nephew confessed to killing her in August 1985, and her bones were exhumed in August 2005 and again in December 2006.

Where did the scandal take place? Outside Knoxville, Tennessee. Leoma was seen leaving Peggy's Place, a Clinton Highway bar, with two men. Her bones were found next to Norris Lake in Campbell County.

Why did the scandal take place? Leoma Patterson was killed over a drug deal gone sour.

Will we truly ever know whether or not those bones are the remains of Leoma Patterson or not? I don't know. It's a mystery, tragedy, and crying shame, but these types of things always are. Unfortunately, no matter whether it is ever revealed what happened to Leoma Patterson's remains or not, nothing will ever bring her back, but, hopefully, if the truth is ever discovered it will allow her and her family to finally rest in peace.

Learn more about this author, Monty Hamilton.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.