Zachary Justin Hayes, 27, received a 37-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, aggravated cruelty to animals, and intentional killing of an animal for stabbing his mother, Kimberly Hayes, 63, and her cat to death in September 2023.​
Crime Details
The attack occurred at Kimberly’s home on Samples Road in Louisville, Tennessee, where deputies found her with multiple stab wounds to the neck and head, and her cat similarly killed. Bloody knives, one snapped in half, were scattered around the residence. A coworker discovered the bodies after Kimberly missed work; time of death was estimated late September 7 or early September 8, 2023.​
Confession and Behavior
Hayes admitted in a recorded interrogation that he stabbed his mother while she watched TV in the living room, then had a drink, finished the show, and went to bed, claiming no planning or motive. Neighbors spotted his red Mercedes outside her home beforehand. He was arrested without incident on September 9 at his Knoxville residence by U.S. Marshals after family alerted authorities.​
Sentencing
On January 16, 2026, 5th Circuit Court Judge Tammy M. Harrington imposed the sentence following his guilty plea, with credit for pretrial detention days served. Earlier hearings showed Hayes emotional, crying over crime scene photos and stating he felt scared. Blount County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the outcome.​
