Phillip Whitnel, 38, faces murder and violation of a protective order charges in Paducah, Kentucky, for gunning down his estranged wife Stephanie Stacey, 31, at KC’s Bar and Grill during her overnight shift on Dec. 13, 2025.
The Shooting
Around 3:14 a.m., Whitnel entered the nightclub, shot Stacey multiple times in front of witnesses, and fled. She died at a hospital. The couple—parents to two kids, with Stacey stepmom to one—was divorcing amid domestic issues; he ignored an emergency protective order.
Aftermath
Tracked to Illinois, arrested by state police during a traffic stop, extradited March 4 to McCracken County Jail. Indicted; court March 12. “Stephanie’s Law” proposed: Public registry for repeat DV offenders.
Stacey, hospitality star and devoted mom, remembered as a “ray of light.” Brutal DV escalation—restraining orders failed here.
