A Kentucky man is facing murder charges after authorities say he gunned down his estranged wife while she was working at a local bar.
Phillip Whitnel, 38, has been charged with murder related to domestic violence and violating a Kentucky emergency protective order, according to McCracken County jail records. Police say he is responsible for the fatal shooting of 31-year-old Stephanie Stacey.
The shocking incident happened in the early morning hours of Dec. 13, 2025, at KC’s Bar and Grill in Paducah, Kentucky. According to the Paducah Police Department, officers were called to the nightclub around 3:14 a.m. after reports that a woman had been shot.
Witnesses told investigators that a man later identified as Whitnel walked into the bar and opened fire on Stacey, shooting her multiple times before fleeing the scene.
Stacey was rushed to a nearby hospital, but she was later pronounced dead.
Detectives soon learned that Whitnel and Stacey had previously been in a relationship. Local reports say the two were married but in the process of divorcing at the time of the shooting. Stacey was reportedly working when the attack happened.
Police quickly obtained a warrant for Whitnel’s arrest, but investigators discovered he had fled across state lines into Illinois.
Authorities tracked him down, and Illinois State Police eventually pulled him over during a traffic stop and took him into custody.
Whitnel was initially held in the Franklin County Jail in Illinois before being extradited back to McCracken County, Kentucky. He has since been served with an indictment and is expected to appear in court on March 12.
Friends and loved ones say Stacey was well known in the local restaurant and hospitality community.
Her obituary described her as someone who brought warmth and kindness to everyone she worked with.
“She thrived in the restaurant and hospitality industry,” the obituary said, noting that her friendly personality made her a favorite among coworkers and customers alike.
Stacey was also a devoted mother of two and a stepmother to another child.
In the wake of her death, supporters are pushing for new legislation in Kentucky called “Stephanie’s Law.” The proposed law would create a public registry for people convicted of multiple domestic violence offenses, including their names, photographs and criminal histories.
Advocates hope the measure will help prevent tragedies like the one that claimed Stacey’s life.