The case of Paula Michelle Burnette, a 21-year-old mother of two from Harrison, TN, has haunted her family and the local community for nearly three decades. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, Paula’s disappearance on September 17, 1996, remains a mystery. Her story is one of fear, suspicion, and unresolved questions that continue to plague those who loved her.
What Happened
Paula Burnette was last seen on September 17, 1996, after calling the police to have her estranged husband, Donald Ray Burnette, removed from her home. The couple’s marriage had been troubled, and Paula expressed fear for her safety, asking her father, Mr. Caudill, to stay with her that night. The very next day, Donald called Mr. Caudill and asked him to pick up Paula’s children, claiming that Paula needed a vacation. But Paula was never heard from again.
Five days later, on September 21, 1996, Mr. Caudill reported Paula as missing. Her disappearance set off a series of investigations that would lead authorities to disturbing findings but no concrete answers.
Investigation and Clues
In October 1996, a concerned citizen contacted law enforcement after discovering Paula’s driver’s license in the 9500 block of Harrison Bay Road near an abandoned water treatment plant. Cadaver dogs were brought in and alerted at the Savannah water treatment plant, but Paula’s body was never found.
The only other evidence that turned up was Paula’s purse and address book, which washed into the backyard of a Chattanooga residence following a flood in April 1997. Despite these clues, Paula’s whereabouts remain unknown.
Before her disappearance, Paula had made a chilling phone call to her friend, Tinika Hollis, just two weeks prior. Paula told Tinika, “Don’t stop looking if anything ever happens to me.” Those words now resonate deeply with her family and friends, especially considering the suspicions surrounding her husband.
Donald Ray Burnette: The Primary Suspect
Donald Ray Burnette, the last person known to have seen Paula alive, remains the prime suspect in her disappearance. However, he has never been charged in connection with the case. Donald claimed that Paula left to avoid possible warrants for bad checks, a statement that has been met with skepticism by Paula’s family and investigators alike. Paula’s family described Donald as jealous and obsessed, and they strongly believe he played a role in her disappearance.
Their suspicions grew even more after an unsettling event in October 1996, when Donald and an accomplice, James Travis Wright, took a bank manager and her family hostage. The two men forced the bank manager to rob her own bank after holding her and her family in a vehicle overnight. In December 1996, both Donald and James were arrested for this crime. Donald was sentenced to 39 years in prison, but has since been released, leaving many to wonder if justice will ever be served in Paula’s case.
The Search for Answers
Despite the years that have passed, Paula’s family has never stopped searching for answers. They believe that Donald, whom Paula feared and who had a troubled relationship with her, is responsible for her disappearance. To this day, the mystery of what happened to Paula remains unsolved, with only a handful of clues and no closure for the family.
If you have any information regarding Paula Michelle Burnette’s disappearance or her current whereabouts, please contact the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office at 423-622-0022.
Closing Line
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
