PIGEON FORGE, TN – He’s been called the Facebook detective and a citizen sleuth. He has built a solid reputation for helping to solve true crimes. For the last two decades, Billy Jensen has become a household name within the true crime genre. Fans now have a chance to hear from the “consulting digital detective” in an intimate setting at the Alcatraz East Crime Museum. Jensen will be speaking at a special event on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. The event is free with the paid general admission to the museum, but advance reservations are required to attend.

True crime investigative journalist Billy Jensen; image submitted

“We are honored to have Billy Jensen visit the museum and share his experiences and expertise with our visitors,” explains Rachael Penman, director of artifacts and exhibits at Alcatraz East Crime Museum. “He is doing important work and is so open with the true crime community about his journey.”

Those attending will be treated to hearing him speak about such things as the Golden State Killer Case, his podcast, his new book that is coming out, how he got started in the field, and what he’s currently working on. The small group setting will also provide an opportunity to ask questions.

A true crime journalist focused squarely on unsolved murders and missing persons, after 17 years of writing hundreds of stories with no endings, he was fed up and decided to try and solve the murders himself using radical social media techniques. And it worked. Billy has solved or helped solve ten homicides. Law enforcement agencies now reach out to Billy to help in cases that have them stumped, using him as a “consulting digital detective.” His new book, Chase Darkness with Me: How One True-Crime Writer Started Solving Murders, is currently available for pre-order, and comes out on August, 13, 2019.

Jensen is known for his involvement with the Golden State Killer Case, in which the serial killer committed at least 13 murders, over 50 rapes, and more than 100 burglaries in California. The crimes took place between 1974 and 1986, with the suspected killer, Joseph James DeAngelo, being arrested and charged with murder, kidnapping, and abduction in April 2018.

“This is a rare opportunity for East Tennessee to have this kind of access to a real mover in the field,” added Penman. “It’s a chance to go a bit behind the scenes with Jensen’s process and struggles.”

The event is free with the paid general admission to the museum, but advance reservations are required to attend. Attendees must be at least 10 years old. Seating is limited and is on a first come basis. Museum tickets only will not be admitted. To get more information about the museum, or to purchase tickets, visit the site.

A true crime investigator, Billy Jensen has helped to solve 10 cases and is frequently contacted by law enforcement to assist on cases. He focuses on unsolved murders and missing person cases. He has spent over 20 years writing about and investigating true crime stories. He is also a writer and book author. Jensen has also written crime stories for Rolling Stone, Los Angeles Magazine and the Long Island Press, and was most recently a producer and investigator on the Warner Bros. show Crime Watch Daily, where he covered the Allenstown 4 murders, the Humboldt 5, the gap in the system when it comes to missing persons and unidentified remains and the unique talents of citizen detectives. His investigation into the wrongful conviction of Kimberly Long helped earn her release from prison. To learn more about Billy, visit billyjensen.com.

There are also two special exhibits on display during the summer, both aimed at providing visitors with information about headline-grabbing cases from decades ago, and of recent years. The special summer exhibits focus on the 25th anniversary of Nicole Brown Simpson’s murder, as well as the sexual assault crimes that involved the USA Gymnastics team doctor, with over 200 women accusing him of the crimes.

The museum is always adding to its collection and has a star-studded panel of experts who make up the Advisory Board, including those in law enforcement, collectors, a medical examiner, crime scene investigators, and others. The board includes Jim Willett, a retired prison warden, Anthony Rivera, a combat veteran and Navy SEAL chief, and Judge Belvin Perry, Jr., who is best known for the Casey Anthony trial. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.alcatrazeast.com.