Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville man accused of killing a man and kidnapping a woman for days is sentenced to decades in prison.

Knoxville police say in February of 2023 57-year-old Joe Whitaker left his job at Café 4 in Market Square with a kitchen knife, telling his boss he was going home “to hurt someone.”

The threat prompted a series of wellness checks that, days later, led to the discovery of 76-year-old Julius Parker’s body at a home on Bellevue Street.

After his arrest, police say Whitaker admitted to killing Parker. Another victim — a woman — told police he had kept her hostage at gunpoint for days, raping her multiple times.

Whitaker pleaded guilty to second degree murder and will face 23 years in prison.

Court records show that as part of Whitaker’s plea deal, he’s not facing sentencing for any of his charges other than second degree murder.