The Murder of Vickie Pearsall: Nothing To Lose Said Her Abusive Husband

For years, 48 year-old Vickie Pearsall had put with the abuse doled out by her husband Gilbert Pearsall but in October 2011, she finally broke free when she filed for divorce.

At least until today.

On the morning of June 4, 2012, a patient of Nashville dentist Dr. John Williams walked into his offices at 2325 Crestmoor Road in the Green Hills area and discovered the body of his slain receptionist.

As internet messages boards sprang to life with theories of a drug-seeking killer being to blame, Metro Nashville Police were keeping tips close to their vests that Vickie’s estranged husband was their prime suspect.

According to an Order of Protection affidavit Vickie filed just prior to initiating divorce proceedings, Gilbert Pearsall was quoted as telling his wife, “I don’t have anything to lose. I’ll kill you and then myself.” Pearsall had a previous conviction for stalking his wife and aggravated assault in 2009; convictions which were reduced in “best interest” pleas. A view of Pearsall’s criminal history through the Davidson County Courts also indicated that Pearsall was an alcoholic, which likely fueled his volatile personality.

Following through with the first portion of his threat, Pearsall made good on the second part later the same afternoon. Metro Police had issued a Be-On-the-Lookout (BOLO) for a 2000 Mercedes CL500 which had been involved in a hit-and-run accident along Interstate 24, which was found at around 12:15 p.m. by Kentucky State Police (KSP) just outside of Paducah. When KSP Trooper Dean Patterson approached the vehicle parked alongside the interstate, he discovered 51 year-old Pearsall’s body. The cause of death was from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.

Visitors to the Heritage Medical Associates building behind Green Hills Mall found the offices closed today as crime scene investigators completed work at the murder scene.

At the time of the murder/suicide, the matter of Vickie Pearsall vs. Gilbert Pearsall in the Davidson County, Tennessee, Circuit Court was still pending.

Obituary

PEARSALL, Vickie Susan Buttrey, age 48. June 4, 2012. Survived by mother, Barbara Sue Garay; daughters, Gina Strange, Christina Abel (Michael), Valerie Whited; grandmother, Madeline Newsom; brother, Robert Buttrey; 7 grandchildren. The service will be 1 p.m. Friday June 8, 2012 at West Harpeth Funeral Home. Interment to follow at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens.

Last updated by Kim Cantrell on June 15, 2012.