On the night of April 17, 1991, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, 22-year-old Traci Latrice Crozier’s life came to a devastating and agonizing end. What began as the end of a troubled relationship escalated into one of the most horrific murders in the city’s history — a crime fueled by obsession, rejection, and unimaginable cruelty.
A Young Life Full of Promise
Traci Crozier was born on September 1, 1968. By all accounts, she was a vibrant young woman with her whole life ahead of her. She had recently made the brave decision to end her relationship with her ex-boyfriend, Leroy Hall Jr. (also known as Lee Hall), hoping to move on and find peace. Like many young women in similar situations, Traci wanted a fresh start.
But Hall, then 24 years old, could not accept the breakup. According to court records and later reports, he had been leaving threatening messages for Traci in the days leading up to the tragedy. His refusal to let go would soon turn deadly.
The Night of Horror
On the evening of April 17, 1991, Hall confronted Traci and forced her into her own car — a Nissan Pulsar. What happened next was both deliberate and monstrous.
Hall doused Traci and the interior of the vehicle with gasoline. He then set the car on fire while she was still trapped inside. Traci suffered catastrophic second- and third-degree burns over more than 90% (some reports say up to 95%) of her body. Her hair melted, and her skin was severely damaged.
Emergency responders found Traci outside the burning car in unimaginable pain. She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors and medical staff fought desperately to save her life. Despite their heroic efforts, the extent of her injuries proved too severe. Traci Crozier died the following day, April 18, 1991, at just 22 years old. She was laid to rest at Rhea Memory Gardens.
The Investigation and Conviction
Leroy Hall Jr. was arrested shortly after the crime. Although he initially denied involvement, he eventually confessed. He was charged with premeditated first-degree murder and aggravated arson.
In 1992, after an eight-day trial in Hamilton County, a jury found Hall guilty on both counts. The same jury recommended the death penalty, citing the especially heinous, atrocious, and cruel nature of the murder, which was committed during the perpetration of arson. He was also sentenced to 25 years for aggravated arson.
Hall spent the next 28 years on Tennessee’s death row.
Justice After 28 Years
On December 5, 2019, Lee Hall (as he was then legally known) was executed by electrocution in Tennessee’s electric chair. He was 53 years old and had become blind during his time in prison. He was the second blind inmate executed in the United States since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.
Traci’s sister, Staci Wooten, and other family members expressed that the execution brought a measure of closure after nearly three decades of pain. In victim impact statements and interviews, the family spoke of the lasting trauma caused by Traci’s horrific death.
A Story That Still Matters
Traci Crozier’s murder is a tragic reminder of the dangers that can arise when love turns into obsession and control. Her story highlights the courage it takes for victims to leave abusive or toxic relationships — and the deadly consequences that sometimes follow when the abuser refuses to let go.
Today, her case continues to be remembered in true crime communities as one of the most shocking and heartbreaking examples of intimate partner violence involving fire.
Traci was more than a victim. She was a daughter, a sister, and a young woman whose life was stolen far too soon. Her memory lives on through her family and through those who refuse to let her story be forgotten.
Rest in Peace, Traci Crozier (September 1, 1968 – April 18, 1991)
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