Stanley Thomas Wilcox, a 59-year-old man from Waco, Texas, tragically passed away on December 23, 2022. Wilcox was known for his active lifestyle and was a regular at the local YMCA, where he enjoyed playing racquetball. He was a beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, remembered for his kindness and compassion.
On December 29, 2022, Waco Police received a missing person report for Wilcox.
The next day, a homeless woman found his cell phone and turned it in at a convenience store. Detectives learned that Wilcox had not visited his gym for ten days, which was highly unusual for him. When officers went to Wilcox's house on Garrett Avenue, they spoke with three people who shared the home with him: 18-year-old James Keylan Willis, 19-year-old Brandon Xavier Stephens, and 18-year-old Heavyn Hamilton.
According to arrest affidavits, Willis and Stephens admitted to shooting Wilcox during a confrontation and then decided to "put him out of his misery" by cleaning the crime scene and disposing of his body in a ravine near South 9th Street and the I-35 northbound access road. Both Willis and Stephens face charges of Murder and Tampering with Physical Evidence and are being held on bonds totaling $1.5 million each. Heavyn Hamilton is accused of failing to report a felony and has already bonded out of jail.
The investigation revealed that Wilcox left the home around Christmas Eve without his car, and his ID and debit card were found in the living room. Investigators discovered a large amount of blood in the trunk of a white 2021 Ford Escape with North Carolina license plates, which had been cleaned. The suspects also admitted to moving items from Wilcox's car to make room for camping equipment.
The tragic death of Stanley Wilcox has deeply affected his family and friends, who remember him fondly and continue to honor his memory. The case remains under investigation, and the suspects await trial for their roles in his death.
