’90 Day Fiancé’: Who Was Stephanie Stacey? All About Shea’s Friend Who Tragically Died
What To Know
- Stephanie Stacey was a close friend of 90 Day Fiancé Season 12 star Shea McGuire.
- She was killed after filming her appearance on the show.
- She briefly appeared in the season premiere.
Warning: The following post contains discussions of domestic abuse and gun violence.
During the 90 Day Fiancé Season 12 premiere, “In My Getting Married Era,” viewers got to know Shea McGuire and his full Paducha, Kentucky, community, including his close friend Stephanie Stacey. Stephanie appeared in the TLC series when viewers were first introduced to Shea at a fair in Paducha. Among the rest of his friends, Stephanie asked Shea about his fiancée Anabelle’s upcoming arrival.
After the May 10 episode, viewers learned that Shea had suffered a devastating loss. Stephanie was killed by her ex-husband, Phillip Whitnel, after filming. Remembering Stephanie, her father told WPSD, a local news site, “I mean, she had all kinds of different friends, and just everybody really just got along with everybody, and she was really fun, usually smiling, kind of the life of the party.”
Scroll to find out more about Stephanie Stacey and her connection to 90 Day Fiancé‘s Shea McGuire.
Who was Stephanie Stacey?
Stephanie was a 31-year-old single mother from Paducah. In her obituary, her family shared, “Above her considerable achievements, Stephanie’s most profound and cherished role was that of a mother. Her children were the center of her universe, and she embraced motherhood with an exceptional blend of tenderness, strength, and grace. Stephanie’s children knew an unwavering love and the joy of having a mother who put their well-being and happiness at the forefront of everything she did.”
What happened to Stephanie Stacey?
Stephanie was killed while working a shift at KC’s Bar and Grill in Paducah, Kentucky. Her ex-husband, whom she was actively in the process of divorcing, arrived at KC’s Bar and Grill and shot Stephanie multiple times before leaving the establishment. She was pronounced dead soon after, and Phillip was charged with murder and domestic violence.
Her boyfriend, David Johnson, told WPSD, “She was abused by this maniac for 8-9 years. [He] always cheated on her and abused her. She met me and got the courage to leave him.” As he put it, Stephanie “was a lover, not a fighter.” He explained, “She loved her kids more than anything, she was full of energy, full of laughter and joy. All she ever wanted was to be loved.”
Was Stephanie Stacey on 90 Day Fiancé?
Stephanie Stacey briefly appeared in Episode 1 of Season 12 of 90 Day Fiancé, which premiered on May 12, as a friend of franchise newbie Shea McGuire. It is unclear if she will appear in any future Season 12 episodes.
If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic abuse, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233.
