This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:21:39
The video revolves around the tragic case of Stacy Smith, a 32-year-old mother of two from West Virginia, who was found dead in her home on December 28th, 2009. Her father discovered her body after she failed to answer her phone, and the police found a message on the wall accusing her of infidelity, suggesting jealousy as a motive. Stacy's current boyfriend, Brent, and her ex-husband, Steven, were initially suspects. Brent's known jealousy, a quarrel they had the night before, and a questionable alibi intensified suspicions. Another suspect emerged when investigators found Stacy's cousin, Timothy Ray Southernland, who had a criminal background, staying at a motel.
As the investigation unfolded, it became clear that Brent was not the perpetrator. Forensic evidence and a confession revealed that Timothy had killed Stacy in a fit of anger after she called him a "junkie" during an argument about Brent. Timothy then staged the scene to frame Brent and stole Stacy's belongings. Ultimately, Timothy was convicted of murder in 2011 and sentenced to life without parole. His appeal in 2013 was unsuccessful, cementing his guilt in the premeditated crime.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, the narrator recounts the tragic events surrounding Stacy Smith in West Virginia in 2009. Stacy, a 32-year-old mother of two, was found dead by her father shortly after Christmas. Police discovered a message on the wall in her bedroom left by the perpetrator. The video provides background information on Stacy, describing her as a cheerful and outgoing woman who enjoyed attention and had a loving relationship with her high school sweetheart, Steven. They had two children, McKenzie and Landon, but eventually divorced. Stacy later rekindled a romantic relationship with Brent, an old acquaintance from high school, but their relationship was marred by Brent’s jealousy. On December 28th, 2009, after failing to reach Stacy by phone, her father, John, drove to her home to check on her, leading to the grim discovery.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, John visited Stacy’s house a few days before Christmas to check on her family. Upon arriving, he found the house locked and spotted Stacy’s three-year-old son, Landon, through a window. John asked Landon to open the door and discovered Stacy’s lifeless body in the kitchen, with blood stains indicating she had been stabbed in the neck. John called 911, and the police confirmed her death was no accident. There was a message on a wall accusing her of infidelity, suggesting jealousy as a motive. Landon had unknowingly spent most of the day alone with his deceased mother, leaving his bloody footprints near her body. Investigators found no signs of forced entry, indicating Stacy might have known her killer. Her car and phone were missing, and the police searched for these items to track the suspect. The situation was particularly tough for her children, and psychologists were involved to help Landon process the events and determine if he saw anything that could help the investigation.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, the focus is on the investigation into Stacy’s death, particularly examining the potential suspects, her boyfriend Brent and her ex-husband Steven. The investigation reveals that Brent was known to be excessively jealous and quick-tempered, which made him a primary suspect. The police decide to search Brent’s country house after obtaining a warrant, and when they confront him, his nervousness and subsequent behavior only heighten their suspicions. During interrogation, Brent admits to having a tumultuous relationship with Stacy, marked by frequent quarrels and a recent argument over alleged infidelity. The investigators are keen to determine the truth behind Brent’s reactions and statements.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, Brent recounts his interactions with Stacy on December 27th, mentioning they had a quarrel but later reconciled and spent time together late into the night. The next day, the police informed him of Stacy’s death, which Brent claimed to be unaware of. Investigators, unable to confirm Brent’s alibi, asked him to take a polygraph test, which he passed. However, a small red spot on his shirt raised suspicion. Detectives then sought Stacy’s cousin Timothy, who had gone missing, fearing he might have been kidnapped due to past issues with illegal substances. Meanwhile, Stacy’s ex-husband Steven was also under suspicion but claimed innocence and suggested Brent was the likely culprit.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, investigators examined various leads surrounding Stacy’s unstable relationship with Brent and interviewed Stacy’s ex-husband, who was excluded as a suspect thanks to a confirmed alibi. They discovered that the car presumed to be Stacy’s actually belonged to her boss, Dr. William Casto, pointing to a possible romantic relationship between them. Dr. Casto voluntarily came to the police station and confirmed the relationship, providing a credible alibi that cleared him of suspicion. This development led the police to explore other potential suspects and questions, including who might have left an offensive message in Stacy’s house. Using GPS tracking, they located Stacy’s car in a deserted parking lot containing some of her belongings but no direct evidence of the crime. The investigation took another turn when they reviewed the background of Timothy, Stacy’s missing cousin, revealing past legal troubles that could be relevant to the case.
00:15:00
In this part of the video, the narrative focuses on the investigation following Stacy’s death. Timothy Ray Southernland, who had a prior conviction for a sexual offense and theft, failed to register as a sex offender and was staying at a motel. When questioned, Timothy denied involvement in Stacy’s death and blamed Brent, her partner, highlighting their frequent arguments. However, forensic evidence weakened Timothy’s accusations against Brent as blood found on Brent’s shirt was his own, not Stacy’s. With Brent and Stacy’s son excluded as suspects, investigators found dried blood on Timothy’s jeans, leading them to further pressure him. Ultimately, Timothy confessed his anger towards Stacy for repeatedly forgiving Brent’s mistreatment, particularly recalling their argument the night before her death.
00:18:00
In this segment of the video, it details the tragic events that unfolded in December 2009 involving Timothy Southerland and his cousin, Stacy Smith, at her home in West Virginia. Following an argument about Stacy’s boyfriend, which escalated when Stacy called Timothy a “junkie,” Timothy left the room only to return with a butcher knife. He fatally stabbed Stacy and subsequently stole her possessions before fleeing. He wrote incriminating words on the living room wall to frame her boyfriend. Later, Timothy confessed to the murder during police interrogation, expressing remorse and directing officers to the discarded weapon. Despite his confession, he claimed innocence at his court hearing in 2010, though substantial evidence was presented by the prosecution to convict him.
00:21:00
In this segment of the video, it is discussed whether the crime committed by Timothy Ray Southernland was premeditated or done in a state of passion. Despite the defense lawyer’s claim that it was a crime of passion, the fact that Timothy left the bedroom, smoked a cigarette in the kitchen, and then returned with a knife suggested awareness and premeditation. On March 18, 2011, Timothy was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. In 2013, he attempted to appeal the verdict, but the appeal failed.