A haunting mystery has finally found its answer. Over ten years after she vanished, the fate of Sharon Leinart is no longer a question mark, thanks to a chilling confession by a convicted killer.
On February 7, officials at the Knox County District Attorney General’s Office confirmed that Randall Rose, a 62-year-old registered sex offender, admitted to killing Leinart in 2013. A judge sentenced him to life in prison for the crime. He was already serving another life sentence for a separate murder in Madison County.
The Disappearance That Froze Time
Leinart, once a dedicated emergency nurse and volunteer for the Civil Air Patrol, disappeared in January 2013. Her family reported her missing in March, after she suddenly stopped calling or using her finances.
She had been staying at a Knoxville motel, according to relatives. The family contacted law enforcement immediately. Despite efforts to track her, including submitting DNA to NamUs (National Missing and Unidentified Persons System), authorities found no trace of her for years.
A Shocking Admission in 2023
During an October 2023 interview, Rose confessed to strangling a woman at the Sunset Motel. He said he hid her body afterward. His detailed account matched the timeline and circumstances of Leinart’s disappearance. Investigators acted on this breakthrough and brought murder charges against him.
Although her body remains missing, the confession provided the closure needed to pursue justice.
A Second Life Sentence for a Man With a Violent Past
Randall Rose isn’t a stranger to violent crimes. His name appears on the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry, linked to two previous rape convictions. He is already serving a life sentence for another murder. Now, with a second life term added, he will never walk free again.
A Family Left With Answers—But Not Peace
District Attorney Charme Allen expressed hope that the outcome would help the family find comfort. “After a decade of wondering what happened to their loved one, I hope the judgment in this case allows this family to find some measure of peace,” she said.
Yet the emotional burden continues. Leinart’s remains have never been found, and her family is still searching for full closure.