A sense of unease began to settle in when Nicole Lee Stephens, a 39-year-old Caucasian woman, hadn't been heard from for a few days. On Monday, March 12, 2018, her son officially reported her missing to the authorities in Antioch, Tennessee. The last time he had spoken with his mother was the previous Friday. The search for Nicole would unfortunately come to a tragic end later that same day. Her body was discovered in a shed behind her home on Sussex Drive. An investigation quickly determined that she had been shot to death.
Suspicion in the case soon fell upon her boyfriend, 35-year-old Matthew Luther McGinnis. As investigators delved into his background, they discovered a history of domestic violence-related convictions. With evidence mounting, the Metro Nashville Police Department secured a warrant for his arrest in connection with Nicole's murder. The search for McGinnis intensified as law enforcement agencies across the area were put on alert. He was considered armed and dangerous, and the public was cautioned against approaching him.
The manhunt for Matthew Luther McGinnis came to a dramatic and violent conclusion. Police were able to track him to his own residence, where a tense standoff ensued. As officers surrounded the home and attempted to negotiate his surrender, the situation escalated. The confrontation ended with McGinnis suffering a fatal gunshot wound. While an officer did fire their weapon during the encounter, initial reports suggested that McGinnis's fatal injury may have been self-inflicted. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was called in to lead the inquiry into the officer-involved shooting, a standard procedure in such cases. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding both deaths sought to bring a full resolution to the tragic events that unfolded.
