Stephanie McNabb, a 41-year-old woman from Palmetto, FL, was tragically murdered on February 10, 2019. Stephanie, who was of African American descent, was shot multiple times by her long-time partner, Flozell Murrell III, also 41 years old. The incident occurred at a residence on the 1100 block of 17th Avenue West around 1 a.m. Despite being semi-conscious when officers arrived and being rushed to Blake Medical Center, Stephanie succumbed to her injuries.
The relationship between
Stephanie McNabb and Flozell Murrell was tumultuous and marked by violence. They had been together for approximately 25 years, but their relationship was fraught with domestic abuse. Murrell had recently been released from jail after serving two years for violating probation related to a domestic battery charge. Despite an injunction ordering him to stay away from Stephanie, they reunited and went to a club in Sarasota on February 2, 2019. After an altercation at a 7-Eleven, where Murrell accused Stephanie of flirting, he physically assaulted her, including punching and pistol-whipping her. He then held her against her will at a motel before she managed to escape and inform her family of the incident.
Following this violent episode, an arrest warrant was issued for Murrell on February 5, 2019, for charges including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, domestic battery by strangulation, and violation of an injunction. However, authorities were unable to apprehend him before the fatal shooting occurred. On the night of the murder, Murrell forced his way into the home where Stephanie was staying and shot her multiple times. He then struggled with another adult in the house before fleeing the scene.
Murrell was arrested a few hours after the shooting and charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, burglary, assault, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The case highlighted the severe consequences of domestic violence and the challenges faced by victims even when they take steps to protect themselves, such as obtaining restraining orders. Stephanie McNabb's death underscores the importance of effective intervention and support for domestic violence survivors.
