COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WKRN) — Billboards have gone up in Maury County and a grieving family hopes they not only honor their loved one, but get the attention of investigators.

Harold "BJ" Grisham, 37, was killed in September 2024 near Old Leipers Creek Road. A few days after the homicide, Michael Van Dobbs was taken into custody in connection with the case. Around Columbia, billboards have gone up with BJ's name and the line "I hope I get justice."

"A couple people said, 'Well, I didn't know he got killed over here,' so I put up the billboards to let them know I'm not going away," BJ's father Harold Grisham told News 2.

"If you check around with people and ask people, they'll tell you my son wouldn't hurt nobody. He was a real good kid," Harold added. "He just got around with the wrong people."

Van Dobbs has been placed in custody in connection with the case, but Harold wants more from investigators — including some of BJ's personal belongings.

"We've asked questions and we don't get any answers," Harold said. "I still don't have his personal belongings — his watch is still missing."

Harold told News 2 that the watch is particularly sentimental and he would like to give it to BJ's daughter, who has been struggling with the loss of her dad.

"It's kind of messed us up because we are used to him smiling all the time, happy go lucky and now you don't see him," Harold said. "We don't understand why [this happened]. Only God will tell us that in the long run."

Van Dobbs' criminal history spans decades and more than 40 counts, including child endangerment charges and felony thefts. When the crime occurred, Dobbs had been on probation for drug charges and was set to be on supervised probation until 2031.

News 2 spoke with the prosecutor on this case. She said that she could not share many details about the investigation at this time, but she hopes to get a trial date on the calendar soon.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/maury-co-billboards/