Knoxville Man Appears in Court for Stabbing His Mother and Cat

Knoxville TN, October 3, 2025

News Summary

Zachary Justin Hayes, 27, faced court on charges related to the alleged stabbing death of his mother, Kimberly Hayes, and her cat. The incident raised serious legal questions regarding evidence and procedural rights. The defense claims inadequate explanation of rights, while the prosecution argues the contrary. A status hearing is set for October 20.

Knoxville Man Zachary Justin Hayes Appears in Court for Allegedly Stabbing His Mother and Cat to Death

Knoxville, TN – Zachary Justin Hayes, 27, appeared in court on Tuesday at the Blount County Justice Center as he faces serious charges in connection with the alleged stabbing death of his mother, Kimberly Hayes, 63, and her cat. The hearing served as a continuation of a motion to suppress hearing that was first heard on September 11, 2025. He is charged with aggravated burglary, criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse, and intentional killing of an animal.

Hayes was arrested on September 9, 2023, after deputies discovered Kimberly’s body at her home on Samples Road. Kimberly was found lying in a pool of blood, with her deceased cat nearby. A welfare check was initiated after a coworker reported her missing. When law enforcement arrived, they found Kimberly’s body surrounded by bloody kitchen knives.

An autopsy concluded that Kimberly died from multiple stab wounds to the neck and back of the head, estimating her time of death to be around the night of September 7 or the early morning of September 8. The cat’s body also indicated it had been stabbed.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Hayes had visited his mother to celebrate his birthday shortly before her death. Deputy Isaac Staley presented evidence that Hayes’ red Mercedes was spotted at his mother’s residence the day prior to her death. When law enforcement tracked Hayes to his own residence on Pickett Ave, he was arrested shortly after a relative notified them of his arrival.

In court, Hayes’ defense attorney, Matthew Elrod, questioned if Hayes had been properly informed of his rights during the arrest process, asserting that the Miranda rights were inadequately explained. Video evidence was presented where an investigator described the Miranda process as merely “red tape.” The defense sought to suppress Hayes’ confession on these grounds.

State prosecutor Tyler Parks countered the defense’s claims by stating that there is no legal requirement for a written copy of the Miranda rights to be provided. They also discussed clothing found in a wash at Hayes’ residence, which Elrod argued had been retrieved without a warrant, rendering it inadmissible. Prosecutor Parks defended this action as necessary to preserve evidence under exigent circumstances.

The defense further challenged the probable cause behind the aggravated burglary charge against Hayes. After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Tammy M. Harrington concluded the hearing by stating she would review the case notes before setting a status hearing for October 20, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. Hayes remained in custody throughout the proceedings, attired in a black and white striped jail uniform.

Reports indicate that Hayes’ legal team is seeking his medical records due to past incidents and behavioral issues prior to the crime.

Background Context

The case has drawn attention due to its disturbing nature, involving both a mother and a pet victim. The ongoing legal proceedings and motion hearings illustrate the complexities of the case, particularly surrounding the admissibility of evidence and the procedural rights of the accused. Hayes faces significant legal challenges as he navigates the court system, with the implications of these charges being severe.

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Man Charged with Homicide After Fatal Stabbing Incident

Additional Resources

• The Daily Times: Knoxville Man Accused of Stabbing Mother to Death Appears in Court
• Citizen Tribune: Knoxville Man Accused of Stabbing Mother to Death Appears in Court
• WBIR: Blount County Zachary Hayes Murder Case
• Wikipedia: Miranda Warning
• Times Herald: Arrest Log July 2022
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Criminal Law

Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER

The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.