Chelsea Nicole Gregory, a 14-year-old girl from Nebo, North Carolina, tragically lost her life on January 18, 2008. Chelsea, who was affectionately known as "Sissy," was a beloved member of her community and was always seen with a smile on her face. She was the daughter of Bobby Gregory and Vicky Lynn Lowery. On that fateful day, Chelsea was accompanied in death by her mother, Vicky Lynn Lowery, and her step-sister, Rebecca Rose Buckner, aged 25.
The perpetrator of this heinous crime was
Stephen Monroe Buckner, who was 52 years old at the time. Buckner was the boyfriend of Vicky Lynn Lowery and the father of Rebecca Rose Buckner. The motive behind the murders was reportedly Vicky Lowery's decision to move out of the house, which enraged Buckner. In a fit of anger, Buckner shot Vicky Lowery, Chelsea Gregory, and Rebecca Buckner multiple times, resulting in their deaths.
Following the murders, Stephen Monroe Buckner was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree murder. The case went to trial, and on November 2, 2010, Buckner was convicted of all three counts. The jury sentenced him to death for the murders of Chelsea Gregory and Rebecca Buckner, while he received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the murder of Vicky Lowery.
The tragic deaths of Chelsea Nicole Gregory, Vicky Lynn Lowery, and Rebecca Rose Buckner left a lasting impact on their community. Chelsea, a young girl full of life and potential, was taken away far too soon. The case serves as a somber reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the importance of seeking help and support in such situations.
