Bryan Jacob Stay, a 13-year-old boy from Spring, Texas, tragically lost his life on July 9, 2014. Bryan, along with his parents Stephen and Katie Stay, and his three siblings Emily , Rebecca , and Zach , were killed in their home. The only survivor of the massacre was Cassidy Stay, Bryan's 15-year-old sister, who managed to play dead and later alert authorities.
The perpetrator, Ronald Lee Haskell, was a man who had recently divorced Katie Stay's sister.
He allegedly posed as a FedEx worker to gain entry into the Stay family's home. Haskell was reportedly angry about the divorce and went looking for his ex-wife. After killing the Stay family members, he headed to the home of Roger Lyon, a neighbor, but was intercepted by authorities before he could cause further harm.
Haskell was arrested hours later after a standoff with law enforcement. He faced multiple counts of capital murder for the deaths of the Stay family. The case drew significant media attention due to the brutality of the crime and the impact on the tight-knit Spring community. In the aftermath, supporters donated over $300,000 to help Cassidy Stay and her family with expenses and provide support.
The Stay family's funeral was attended by about 1,500 people, including friends, family, and community members who came together to mourn the loss and celebrate the lives of those who were killed. The tragedy left a lasting impact on the community, prompting many to seek ways to help each other and be more forgiving.
The case against Ronald Lee Haskell was reset multiple times before finally going to trial in 2019. He was found guilty of the murders and sentenced accordingly. The Stay family's story remains a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of community support in times of tragedy.
