A 31-year-old woman was fatally shot by her estranged husband while working an overnight shift at a bar in Paducah, Kentucky. The incident occurred on December 13, 2025, and the suspect faces murder charges related to domestic violence. Authorities note that the couple was in the process of divorcing.
On December 13, 2025, around 3:14 a.m., Stephanie Stacey, 31, was working at KC's Bar and Grill in Paducah, Kentucky, when her estranged husband, Phillip Whitnel, 38, entered the nightclub and fired multiple shots at her before fleeing, according to the Paducah Police Department.
Stacey was transported to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead. Police investigations revealed that Stacey and Whitnel had been married and were undergoing divorce proceedings at the time of the shooting. Witnesses identified Whitnel as the shooter.
Following the incident, detectives issued a warrant for Whitnel's arrest on murder charges, enhanced by domestic violence elements, along with a violation of a Kentucky emergency protective order or domestic violence order. Whitnel had fled across the state line to Illinois, where Illinois State Police stopped and arrested him while he was driving. He was initially held at the Franklin County Jail in Illinois before being extradited to McCracken County, Kentucky, on a Wednesday prior to the police press release.
Whitnel is scheduled to appear in court on March 12. Stacey's obituary describes her as someone who "thrived in the restaurant and hospitality industry, endearing herself to colleagues and guests alike through her kind-hearted spirit, steadfast dedication, and an admirable work ethic that never faltered." She leaves behind two children as a mother and one stepchild.
In response to the tragedy, a proposed piece of legislation called "Stephanie's Law" is advancing in Kentucky. It aims to establish a public registry for individuals with at least two domestic violence offenses, including their name, date of birth, crimes, and photograph.