Cold Case Unit Makes Arrest In Murders Of Brothers In Brainerd Almost 20 Years Ago; Detectives Say Brainerd Jeweler Rick Davis Tied To Incident

The Cold Case Unit set up by District Attorney Neal Pinkston has made an arrest in the murders of two brothers in Brainerd almost 20 years ago.

The Hamilton County Grand Jury on Monday indicted 52-year-old Christopher Jeffre Johnson on two counts of first-degree murder in the January 1997 deaths of Sean and Donny Goetcheus.

The 25-year-old Sean Goetcheus and his 19-year-old brother, Donny, were last seen alive the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 8, 1997.

The following evening, on Jan. 9, 1997, police were called to 3207 Rosemont Dr, the house where the brothers lived. Inside were the bodies of both men, who had each been shot multiple times. Sean Goetcheus had been shot twice in the head and once in the neck. Donny had been shot once in the head and once in the face.

Originally, Chattanooga police investigators had very few leads and none of those developed. Leads have trickled in throughout the last two decades, mainly due to the continued media attention given to this case. All of those potential leads, except the defendant, were eliminated.

Mike Mathis, who leads the Cold Case Unit, said detectives have talked with Johnson about the case since 1999.

He said recently Johnson finally gave details of the murder and admitted his involvement.

Det. Mathis said Johnson said he went to the residence where the brothers were living to retrieve a video for Rick Davis, owner of Rick Davis Gold and Jewelry.

He said words were exchanged between Johnson and Sean, then Johnson shot him. The detective said Johnson did not know that anyone else was in the house, but Donny was in the bathroom. He called out, "Hey Bro, what's going on?" Johnson then kicked the bathroom door open and also murdered him, it was stated.

DA Pinkston said Rick Davis has been interviewed about the case. Asked if he had been cooperating, he said, "He has been interviewed."

In August 2014 (shortly before officially taking office) District Attorney General Pinkston asked the media to once again revisit the Goetcheus brothers’ case.  Later that year, he requested Governor Bill Haslam offer a $10,000 reward to help generate tips. Governor Haslam approved the request in February 2015. Later in 2015, the Cold Case Unit distributed reward posters throughout the area and repeatedly asked for the public’s help solving the case.

Meanwhile, the Cold Case Unit was also closing the 2004 cold case of Missy Ward. In January 2016, the Hamilton County Grand Jury indicted Christopher Jeffre Johnson for Ms. Ward’s murder.

Johnson, serving a 50-year prison sentence for the kidnapping and rapes of two girls, is a career offender who for years has bragged to other inmates about killing the brothers, detectives said. He had not been taken seriously until Cold Case Unit detectives interviewed him for the Ward case.  Upon talking with Johnson, both investigators became convinced Johnson was responsible for the Goetcheus’ murders. In a series of conversations with CCU Supervisor Mike Mathis throughout the last year, Johnson has repeatedly confessed to the murders. Forensic experts confirm Johnson’s version of events is consistent with the crime scene. He has provided details that would only be known to the killer.  

Detectives said, "As for motive, we are still working to determine the specifics but we believe Sean had a videotape of illegal activity involving Rick Davis of Rick Davis’ Gold & Diamonds. On the night of the murders, Chris Johnson took money to Sean to buy the video. During their encounter, Johnson became angry and shot Sean. Upon hearing the gunfire Donny called out to ask what was going on, until that point Johnson had no idea Donny was in the house."

Donny’s fiancée Holly Walker, his best friends Chris Scoggins, Sidney and Thurman Sewell, and Sean’s best friend Marcus Standefer, along with David and Julenne Goetcheus (the brothers’ father and step-mother) attended the  press conference.

Parents David and Juliene praised DA Pinkston for starting the unit and for Dets. Mathis and Carroll to continue to work the case.

The father called Johnson "Lucifer walking on earth" and said their sons "died for no reason."

Diane and Larry Clonts (the brothers’ mother and step-father) live in Texas. They have asked that media not contact them. They did provide the following statement:

"We would like to thank everyone involved who worked on the case for their dedication and persistence in seeing that justice prevails.

Beginning years ago with Tim Carroll and Mike Mathis for their diligence and kindness, up to the present time with Neal Pinkston and his staff keeping us abreast of their efforts as the case progressed. 

The irreparable damage has been done and the sadness in the loss of Sean and Donny cannot be measured but it is comforting to know justice will prevail.

Our prayers go out to everyone who has been affected by these senseless acts of pure evil.

As always, God will be the final judge.

Sincerely,

Diane and Larry Clonts”

If anyone has information regarding this case, they should call the Cold Case Hotline at 423 309-7470 or email coldcases@hcdatn.org.