SUBJECT:  KPD Searching for Missing Adult (Update: Found Safe)

DATE:  May 21^st, 2025

CASE #: 25-006552

GENERAL NARRATIVE

Update: Emily Davis has been found safe and is no longer missing. The Kingsport Police Department would like to thank the public for their assistance.

As previously released:

The Kingsport Police Department is searching for 27-year-old Emily Davis. Emily was last seen in July of 2023 and was only recently reported to the Kingsport Police Department as a missing person; she has been entered into N.C.I.C. and NamUs. Emily was also previously known as Paige Lea Laponsie.

Anyone with information on Emily’s whereabouts is asked to contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.

Alternatively, if an individual who can provide information to this or any case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us

MISSING PERSON INFORMATION

Name Emily Davis

A.K.A. Paige Lea Laponsie

Age 27

Gender/Race Female/White

Residency Meadow Lane in Kingsport TN

Last Known Location Meadow Lane

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

SUBJECT: Kingsport Detectives Investigating Discovery of Human Remains (Update: Remains Identified)

DATE: May 19th, 2025

CASE#: 25-003401

GENERAL NARRATIVE

Update: The human remains discovered near the 3700 block of East Stone Drive on March 13th, 2025, have been identified as Lawrence Miller by the William L. Jenkins Forensic Center in Johnson City, TN. Lawrence was last seen in January of 2024 in Atlanta, GA. Lawrence had not been in contact with his family since that time. The manner of death listed post-autopsy was suicide.

As previously released:

On March 13th, 2025, at approximately 5:00 PM, Kingsport Police Department Patrol Officers and Detectives responded to the 3700 block of East Stone Drive in Kingsport in reference to the discovery of human remains, believed to be that of an adult male, which were found in a wooded area.

The on-site investigation is ongoing, with assistance from Forensic Examiners with the East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine. No further details are currently available for release, as this is an active investigation by the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available, but only at an appropriate point in the investigation.

VICTIM

Name Lawrence Miller

Age 39

Gender/Race Male/White 

Height/Weight 138/5’5″ 

Hair/Eyes Brown/Brown 

Residency Dalton, GA 

Last Known Location Atlanta, GA

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

SUBJECT:  KPD Searching for Missing Adult (Update: Found Safe)

DATE:  May 15th, 2025

CASE #: 25-006016

GENERAL NARRATIVE

Update: Thomas DeGroat Jr. has been found safe and is no longer missing. The Kingsport Police Department would like to thank the public for their assistance.

As previously released:

The Kingsport Police Department is searching for 33-year-old Thomas DeGroat Jr. Thomas was last seen walking on Fort Henry Drive on the afternoon of 05/07/2025.

Anyone with information on Thomas’ whereabouts is asked to contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.

Alternatively, if an individual who can provide information to this or any case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us

MISSING PERSON INFORMATION

Name Thomas DeGroat Jr.

Age 33

Gender/Race Male/White

Residency Fort Henry Drive in Kingsport TN

Last Known Location Fort Henry Drive

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

SUBJECT:  KPD Searching for Missing Adult

DATE:  May 13th, 2025

CASE #: 25-006016

GENERAL NARRATIVE

The Kingsport Police Department is searching for 33-year-old Thomas DeGroat Jr. Thomas was last seen walking on Fort Henry Drive on the afternoon of 05/07/2025.

Anyone with information on Thomas’ whereabouts is asked to contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.

Alternatively, if an individual who can provide information to this or any case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us

MISSING PERSON INFORMATION

Name Thomas DeGroat Jr.

Age 33

Gender/Race Male/White

Residency Fort Henry Drive in Kingsport TN

Last Known Location Fort Henry Drive

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

SUBJECT:  KPD Searching for Runaway Juvenile (Rerelease)

DATE:  May 6th, 2025 

CASE #: 25-004430

GENERAL NARRATIVE

Rerelease: The Kingsport Police Department is still searching for Exenia “Scarlett” Pafford and seeking any information that could assist in locating her.

As previously released:

The Kingsport Police Department is searching for 15-year-old, Exenia “Scarlett” Pafford. Exenia is believed to have left voluntarily from an address on Watterson Street. Exenia is a white female, last seen wearing a white shirt and gray sweatpants. Exenia has been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a runaway Juvenile.

Anyone with information on Exenia’s whereabouts is asked to contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.

Alternatively, if an individual who can provide information to this or any case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us

MISSING PERSON INFORMATION

Name Exenia “Scarlett” Pafford 

Age 15

Gender/Race Female/White 

Residency Watterson Street in Kingsport TN 

Possible Clothing White shirt and gray sweatpants

Last Known Location Watterson Street

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov