MEMPHIS, TN – Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons and Bartlett Police Chief Marcus A. Hopper announced Tuesday a substantial increase in the reward money being offered for information leading to the apprehension, arrest and conviction of a person or persons responsible for the disappearance of Dr. Cherryl Lamont Pearson. After an extensive investigation led by the Bartlett Police Department, there is a strong suspicion that the Bartlett pediatrician, who has been missing since Janary 5, 2002, is the victim of foul play.

Governor Phil Bredesen has offered $25,000 to assist in the investigation of Dr. Pearson’s disappearance. The funds from the Governor’s office, plus the previous reward money of $10,000 offered by Dr. Pearson’s pediatrician’s office, $5,000 offered by Dr. Pearson’s family, and $1,000 offered by Bartlett Crime Stoppers, brings the total reward money to $41,000.

“We believe someone out there knows something that can help us crack this case.  We hope this additional reward money is an incentive to provide us that information so we can not only hold those responsible accountable, but provide some closure for Dr. Pearson’s family,” said District Attorney Gibbons.