This week, an 80-year-old man from Alabama, Michael Keith Fine, was arrested on two counts of first-degree murder, accused of killing his parents nearly 50 years ago in Tennessee, marking a significant development in the Maryville Police Department’s oldest cold case.
The arrest came after a Tennessee grand jury indicted Fine for the 1977 deaths of his parents, Helen D. Fine and Maynard H. Fine. Michael was apprehended in Birmingham, Alabama, and is awaiting extradition to Tennessee, with no information available on whether he has legal representation.
Maryville Police Chief Tony Crisp revealed at a streamed press conference that the case resurfaced in May 2021 when family members sought an update. With advancements in technology, investigators linked Michael to the crime scene and the murder weapon, recovered a year after the incident. The victims, 54-year-old Helen and 67-year-old Maynard, were found dead with multiple gunshot wounds.
Crisp mentioned that Michael was considered a person of interest during the initial investigation, and modern forensic tools and technology not available at the time played a crucial role in establishing the connection.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are also searching for a woman who lived with the couple in the months leading up to the murders. This individual, a teenager in 1977, is not a suspect but is believed to possess relevant evidence. The police are actively seeking her, as she could provide valuable insights into the case.
Victims' families expressed gratitude for the progress in the investigation, thanking law enforcement for their efforts. Michael Keith Fine's arrest represents a breakthrough in the Maryville Police Department’s oldest cold case.
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