The Tragic Case of Emma Walker

The Night of November 21, 2016

In the quiet Sterchi Hills neighborhood of Knoxville, Tennessee, the night of November 21, 2016, was shattered by an act of unimaginable violence. Emma Jane Walker, a promising high school student and cheerleader, was found dead in her bed, the victim of a gunshot wound to the side of her head, just behind her left ear. Her assailant was not a stranger but her ex-boyfriend, William Riley Gaul, whose anger over their breakup had escalated to murder.

The Young Lives of Emma Walker and Riley Gaul

Emma Walker was born on March 20, 2000, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Raised by her parents, Jill, an elementary school teacher, and Mark Walker, Emma was known for her compassion and kindness. She had a younger brother and was deeply involved in her community, excelling as an honor student at Central High School. Emma was active in cheerleading and participated in several clubs, including the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) and the National Beta Club. She dreamt of becoming a neonatal nurse.

Riley Gaul, born in 1998, was known as Riley to those around him. He grew up with his mother and grandparents, attending Central High School, where he was a top student and a football player. Friends described him as a bit nerdy and a jokester, not fitting the typical jock stereotype. After high school, Gaul attended Maryville College, where he played Division III football.

A Relationship Turned Toxic

Emma and Riley met in the fall of 2014 when Emma was a 14-year-old freshman, and Riley was a 16-year-old junior. Their relationship began with Riley ending another romantic relationship to be with Emma, even promising to take her to prom—a promise he ultimately broke. Initially, Riley was attentive and kind, and Emma appeared happy. However, the relationship soon turned volatile. Friends and family noticed Riley's possessive behavior, which included isolating Emma from friends and controlling her actions.

By October 2016, Emma's parents deemed the relationship toxic and prohibited her from seeing Riley. Despite their breakup in November, Riley continued to contact Emma, sometimes threatening suicide to manipulate her emotionally. He even staged a fake kidnapping to garner sympathy and tried to scare her by having a man dressed in black lurk near her home.

The Murder

On November 18, 2016, Riley Gaul stole a 9mm Glock from his grandfather's vehicle. His grandfather feared the gun was taken for suicide. On the night of November 21, Gaul drove to Emma's house after calling a friend for advice on removing fingerprints from a gun. He fired two shots into Emma's bedroom, one of which fatally struck her behind the ear. Gaul returned to his dorm at Maryville College around 4:45 a.m. Meanwhile, Emma's mother found her unresponsive at 6 a.m. and called 911.

The Investigation

Initially, the 911 call suggested a possible suicide, but upon arrival, Sheriff's Deputies found evidence inconsistent with self-infliction. Lead forensic technicians discovered bullet holes in Emma's bedroom wall, prompting a deeper investigation. Detectives found two shell casings outside the home and determined that the bullets fired came from a 9mm Glock—the same type of gun missing from Gaul's grandfather.

As detectives pieced together the events, Riley's name surfaced repeatedly. His friend Alex McCarty revealed to investigators that Gaul had stolen the gun. Despite Gaul's denial, further investigation led to McCarty and another friend, Noah Walton, assisting detectives. Equipped with hidden recording devices, they captured Gaul's incriminating behavior, including his plans to dispose of the murder weapon. This led to Gaul's arrest.

The Trial and Conviction

The legal proceedings against Riley Gaul began with a seven-count indictment, including charges of first-degree murder, felony murder, and tampering with evidence. Released on a $1 million bail, Gaul's trial commenced in April 2018. During the trial, witnesses recounted events leading up to Emma's murder, including Gaul's manipulative tactics and the night of the shooting.

Defense attorney Wesley Stone argued that Gaul's actions were misguided attempts to win Emma back, not murder. Prosecutors countered that Gaul's calculated actions demonstrated intent to kill. On May 8, 2018, the jury found Gaul guilty on all charges. Judge Bobby R. McGee sentenced him to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 51 years.

Post-Conviction and Legacy

In 2021, Gaul sought a new trial, claiming insufficient evidence, but his motion was denied. His appeal to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals in 2023 upheld his conviction, though his felony theft conviction was modified.

Emma Walker's legacy lives on through the "Emma Walker Memorial Scholarship" established by her school and a dog park named in her honor. Her story serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers of teen dating violence, gaining international media attention and coverage on shows like "20/20" and "Dateline."

Sources

• Murder of Emma Walker - Wikipedia