Episode 37: Charles “Robby” Lawrence - Linden, TN

Robby Lawrence was a beloved elementary school teacher, a community leader, and a man on the brink of a new chapter. He never made it to see that future.

Episode Summary

In this episode of True Crime Unwind, we travel to Linden, Tennessee, to tell the story of Robby Lawrence, a 36-year-old fifth-grade teacher whose impact on his students and community is still felt decades later. Known for his kindness, dedication to education, and belief in young people, Robby was the kind of teacher kids remembered for life.

In April of 1984, Robby was days away from a local election for Perry County School Superintendent, a role many believed he was poised to win. He spent his evenings doing what he always did, showing up for his community. But on the night of April 26, Robby never got the chance to wind down at home. He was killed inside his own house, in a crime that would forever change Linden.

What followed was shock, grief, and a case that remains unsolved nearly forty years later. Despite early investigative efforts, preserved evidence, and modern forensic advances, Robby’s killer has never been publicly identified. Friends, former students, and law enforcement officials continue to ask the same question. Who would want to silence a man whose life revolved around teaching and service?

This episode focuses on who Robby Lawrence was, why he mattered, and why his story still deserves attention. Because justice is not just about solving a case. It is about honoring a life that was taken far too soon.

If you have any information regarding the 1984 murder of Charles “Robby” Lawrence, you can contact the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-TBI-FIND or reach out to the Perry County Sheriff’s Office. You can remain anonymous.

If you lived in Linden or Perry County during the 1980s, knew Robby Lawrence, or have information you have never shared, we would also like to hear from you. Reach out to us below!

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