Stephanie McLean, a 44-year-old woman from Spring Lake, NC, was tragically killed on December 20, 2007, in what authorities have described as a murder-suicide. The incident occurred just three days shy of the anniversary of her son's death in a drive-by shooting. Cumberland County deputies found both Stephanie and her husband, Eric McLean, also 44, shot to death inside their home at 1320 Kingstown Court. Investigators revealed that the couple had been involved in an ongoing domestic dispute, which escalated on the night of the incident. Eric McLean fatally shot Stephanie before turning the gun on himself.
The tragic event also left two other family members wounded. Stephanie's 14-year-old daughter, Vontasia Moore, was found unconscious near the woods line of the property, having been shot during the incident. She was listed in critical condition at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Additionally, Stephanie's 64-year-old father, Charles Moore, was shot in the leg but was able to speak with deputies early the following day. He was listed as stable at the same medical center.
The McLean family had been planning to move into a new house nearby just days after the incident. This tragedy marked the second Christmas-time loss for the Moore family, as Stephanie's 22-year-old son, Jermaine Moore, had been gunned down in a drive-by shooting on December 23, 2006. Authorities stated that Jermaine was not the intended victim in that shooting, and no one has been charged in connection with his death.
Friends and relatives described Stephanie McLean as a devoted mother who was deeply committed to her children. She was known for dressing them well, taking them to church, and instilling strong values in them. The Cumberland County deputies were responsible for investigating the case due to a court order that barred the Spring Lake Police Department from handling homicides in the town. This order was requested by Cumberland County District Attorney Ed Grannis, who cited the small police department's lack of manpower and training to handle major felony cases.
