Human Leg Found in Creek Identified as Local Man
SPRINGFIELD, TENNESSEE: Authorities have confirmed that a human leg discovered earlier this year along the Springfield Greenway has been identified as belonging to Joseph Frank Benton Sr. of Springfield, according to a release from the city of Springfield.
From the city of Springfield, “On August 13, 2025, the Springfield Police Department was notified by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Special Agent of the CODIS Unit that a preliminary DNA association was found for decomposed leg remains that were located in Sulphur Fork Creek in Springfield on July 4, 2025.
The TBI CODIS Unit advised that a preliminary association was made with the specimen submitted and identified as 68-year-old Joseph Frank Benton. The Robertson County Sheriff’s Office and the 19th Judicial District Attorney’s Office are leading investigative efforts.”
The discovery of the leg launched an investigation by local law enforcement. Benton was already known to authorities following an unrelated case on Owens Chapel Road, where an investigation led to multiple weapons-related charges against him earlier this year. MORE
Benton is also the father of Joey Benton Jr., who was dating Jennifer and Adrianna Wix at the time of their 2004 disappearance. MORE The case remains unsolved, and no one has ever been charged. While family members have shared their own beliefs publicly, law enforcement has not filed charges or identified anyone as a suspect in the Wix case.
“Our family is aware that the human leg found in Springfield in July has been identified as Joseph Frank Benton, one of the three people to last see Jennifer and Adrianna alive in March of 2004.
We offer our prayers to the investigators as they find out the cause and who is responsible for his death. We pray that this may lead them closer to solving the murder of Jennifer and Adrianna.” The Family of Jennifer and Adrianna Wix
Officials have not released further details regarding the circumstances of Benton’s death or how his remains came to be located in the creek. The investigation remains ongoing. 
