Hamilton County, TN - On December 29, 2021 at 3:08 am, Signal Mountain Police Department personnel and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to 3641 Scarlet Maple Court on Signal Mountain, to investigate the report of an overdose. Upon arriving, Randall Paul Otto (age 69), was found deceased from apparent knife wounds. The female resident of the house, Rhonda Lorna Essenpreis (age 63), was immediately detained.

Evidence at the scene indicates Randall Paul Otto was murdered by Rhonda Lorna Essenpreis.

Essenpreis has been arrested and is awaiting booking at Silverdale on the charge of Criminal Homicide.

As this is an ongoing investigation, no further details are available at this time.