Our Stories

Behind every name is a life, a family, and a love that endures.

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The Story Behind HOPE

Hear from the people and families whose experiences shaped Hope for Victims and its work on behalf of victims of violent crime.

Candles held at a vigil, representing remembrance and community

Hope for Victims was born from loss, and it is sustained by remembering. These stories honor the people behind the names and the families who continue carrying their love forward.

Johnia Berry smiling

Johnia Berry

Johnia's family remembers a vibrant, ambitious young woman with an endless supply of kindness and generosity.

Les and Carol Dotts

Les and Carol are remembered with love by their family, who continue to honor their memory through this community.

Expanded story coming soon

Channon Christian & Christopher Newsom

Channon and Christopher's families have been steadfast voices for victims' rights in Tennessee and beyond.

Expanded story coming soon
Emma Walker

Emma Walker

November 21, 2016. After Emma Walker was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, her family began speaking out against domestic violence while working to keep Emma's life and memory at the center of their advocacy.

A Journey for Justice

The Johnia Berry Story

Learn about Joan Berry's book chronicling her family's journey for justice and the advocacy that followed.

Learn About the Book

Would you like to share your loved one's story? Reach out to us — we would be honored to listen.
Johnia Berry smiling
Remembering

Johnia Berry

Johnia's friends and family remember her as a vibrant young woman — ambitious, generous, kind, and full of life.

Johnia's Story

During the early morning hours of December 6, 2004, a stranger entered Johnia's Brandon Park apartment during a robbery. Johnia was attacked and fatally stabbed. Though she made it out of the apartment seeking help, she died a short time later.

After receiving a call from police about the attack, her family rushed to be by her side, but arrived too late. DNA had been left at the scene, yet critical information was missing from the national database. Johnia's family began working to change Tennessee law so other families might not face the same painful wait for answers.

Turning Grief Into Action

Johnia's case received significant media attention, but the investigation still stretched more than two and a half years and involved more than 400 DNA samples. Her family turned their grief into advocacy for stronger DNA collection laws.

The Johnia Berry Act

On May 9, 2007, the Johnia Berry Act was passed in Tennessee. The law expanded DNA collection from people arrested for qualifying violent felonies so biological evidence could be compared more quickly with unsolved cases.

On September 24, 2007, a DNA match led to the arrest of Taylor Lee Olson for Johnia's murder. Her family believes an earlier felony-arrestee DNA law could have identified him far sooner and spared years of uncertainty.

“It is my hope that sharing the story of Johnia's murder will bring awareness to the fact that DNA arrestee laws should be passed in all states. And my prayer is that another family will not have to endure the pain of losing a loved one.”
Learn More About Johnia Johnia's Book