Stacey McPherson-Dillon, a 45-year-old nurse from Jacksonville, FL, was tragically killed on February 5, 2020. Stacey, who worked at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, was found dead in the backyard of her home on South San Servera Drive with multiple gunshot wounds. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office responded to the scene around 6:45 p.m. after receiving reports of a shooting.
Despite rescue personnel's efforts, Stacey succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
The investigation quickly identified Stacey's son, Michael Joseph McPherson, as the primary suspect. Michael, who was 21 years old at the time, was arrested the following day in Key Largo, Florida. He was apprehended during a traffic stop, and a firearm was found in his vehicle. Michael was initially wanted for battery on a person 65 or older in an unrelated incident in Key West, which occurred shortly after his mother's death.
Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots from the McPherson-Dillon residence, followed by Michael knocking on a neighbor's door and confessing, "I have done a bad thing. I killed Mom." Despite the neighbor's attempt to detain him, Michael fled the scene. He was later extradited to Jacksonville, where he faced charges of second-degree murder for his mother's death. Michael was held without bond while awaiting trial.
The case drew significant attention due to the tragic nature of the crime and the familial relationship between the victim and the suspect. Stacey McPherson-Dillon was remembered by her colleagues and friends as a dedicated nurse and a loving mother. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, as no details were provided about what led to the attack. The legal proceedings against Michael McPherson continued, with the community closely following the developments in the case.
