In the spring of 2010, the community of Independence, Missouri, was shaken by the death of Randy Stone, a 42-year-old former Marine and well-respected local insurance agent. On March 31, 2010, Stone was found deceased in his insurance office, the victim of a single gunshot wound to the head. The initial scene was perplexing to investigators; there were no signs of a struggle, and cash was left undisturbed on his desk, quickly ruling out robbery as a motive.
Randy Stone was a family man,
married for 19 years to his wife, Teresa Stone, with whom he had two children. He was deeply involved in his community and an active member of the New Hope Baptist Church, where he served in various capacities. His best friend and spiritual advisor was the church's charismatic pastor, David Love, who delivered a moving eulogy at his funeral, attended by hundreds of mourners.
As the investigation progressed, a darker narrative began to unfold. Whispers of an affair between Teresa Stone and Pastor David Love circulated, leading police to scrutinize their relationship. It was soon discovered that the two had been engaged in a long-term affair. Investigators uncovered emails and pictures on Love's computer that spoke of a future together. A torn-up note found in Teresa's office trash, not in her husband's handwriting, further fueled suspicions.
The turning point in the investigation came when Teresa Stone eventually admitted to the affair, which had been ongoing for over a decade. She also confessed that a baby she had miscarried years earlier was David Love's child, a fact she had concealed from her husband who had previously had a vasectomy. A critical piece of evidence was a text message from Teresa to David which read, 'I want him dead.' The murder weapon was identified as Randy Stone's own Glock handgun, which was typically kept locked away.
In November 2010, about eight months after the murder, a Jackson County grand jury indicted David Love on charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action. He had since resigned from his position at the church and moved to South Carolina, where he was arrested. Love ultimately took a plea deal, pleading guilty to second-degree murder, and was sentenced to life in prison. He will be eligible for parole in 2036.
Teresa Stone was also arrested and indicted for conspiracy to commit murder. She too accepted a plea deal, acknowledging her role in the crime. In exchange for her cooperation, she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and was sentenced to eight years in prison.
