William Stewart III, a 52-year-old man from Connellsville, Pennsylvania, was tragically shot and killed on the morning of February 18, 2020. Stewart was born on April 20, 1967, and was well-known in his community for his dedication to his family and his passion for working on cars. He is survived by his three sons, Devon and Ryan Lamanna, and Andrew Stewart, as well as his grandchildren, Carter and Lyal Lamanna, and his girlfriend, Heather Mickey.
The incident occurred at Stewart's home on East Fairview Avenue. According to police reports, Stewart was confronted by Keith Bradshaw and Marjorie Ann Jay in his backyard following an argument. Bradshaw, who was 31 years old at the time, allegedly shot Stewart multiple times. The altercation was reportedly sparked by a relationship Bradshaw had with Stewart's girlfriend's 16-year-old son. Jay, who was 37 years old, was also present during the incident and was later charged with homicide and kidnapping.
Following the shooting, Bradshaw and Jay fled the scene with Stewart's girlfriend's son, leading to an Amber Alert being issued. The two were eventually apprehended in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, about two and a half hours away from Connellsville. Bradshaw claimed that the teenager went with him voluntarily, while Jay initially provided conflicting statements to the police.
Both Bradshaw and Jay were charged with homicide and kidnapping. During the trial, Jay testified that Bradshaw had planned to kidnap the teenager and that she had gone along with him out of fear. Bradshaw was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to prison. Jay took a plea deal in exchange for her testimony and received a sentence of 12 to 24 years in prison.
The case drew significant attention from the Connellsville community and beyond, with leaders pausing to remember Stewart and his contributions to his family and community. The tragic loss of William Stewart III left a lasting impact on those who knew him, and his family continues to seek justice for his untimely death.
