The Johnia Berry Story

In the early morning hours of December 6, 2004, a killer fled an apartment complex in West Knoxville as a young woman bravely fought for her life. Her strength failed her at the bottom of the stairs of the apartment building after she'd banged on every door, bleeding from over twenty-five stab wounds.

That young woman was my daughter, Johnia Hope Berry, a twenty-one-year-old college student with graduation in sight and a wedding planned. She'd completed college early, and Johnia had looked forward to a career helping children, some for whom she'd wrapped presents the night before she was attacked.

My daughter's fight ended that cold, rainy morning with so many people left to mourn her, but my battle was just beginning.

In the years that followed, my husband and I grieved for our daughter as we fought for legislation to support justice for victims of violent crimes. Finally, one of the laws enacted led us to our daughter's killer.

This is my daughter's story and my journey for justice for Johnia.