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Cause Of Death Revealed In East Brainerd Homicide

345 views · Published 20 September 2012 · 2:00 · Indexed 6 November 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2012 · News & Politics

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by John Pless  The unsolved murder of a 75-year-old East Brainerd woman leaves many people feeling nervous.Someone came into JoAnne Moore DeShay's home and strangled her. Chattanooga police are not saying anything about the killing, the motive, or if they have suspects in mind.DeShay was strangled with an electrical cord from a vacuum cleaner, according to Hamilton County Medical Examiner Dr. Bruce Wainer. He said Chattanooga Police are asking him to not say anything else beyond cause of death.A family member found DeSha inside her Marco Circle home Saturday morning. Whoever did this came into her home without forcing their way inside.   Sara Wood, a regular at the Chattanooga Senior Center at Eastgate Town Center, said "oh that was terrible, terrible, I'm always upset when I see things like that in the news."Her friend Mary Chasteen said "it makes me aware of what's happening out there, I mean you can't be too careful walking on the street, in the shopping center or in your own home."This is a particularly troubling case for people at Chattanooga's Senior Center. DeShay was living alone -- her husband had passed away a few years ago. Police are not publicly saying anything about a motive or if other crimes are involved. But people familiar with the investigation said it's possible things were taken from DeShay's home.Whatever the motive, the people who did this haven't been caught. Meanwhile, people in the neighborhood are taking extra precautions as police are asking them to not speak with reporters.Seniors we spoke with want to stress some important advice."Keep your doors locked and try to be as safe as you possibly can and in your neighborhood you have to kind of lookout for each other," Fannie Pearson said. Wood added "I try not to ever open the door until I check and see who's there."Visitation for JoAnne DeShay is Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home. The funeral is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Friday at Heritage Funeral Home Chapel.

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