Zachary Thomas Stay, a 4-year-old boy from Spring, Texas, tragically lost his life on July 9, 2014. The incident occurred when Ronald Lee Haskell, a 33-year-old man, arrived at the Stay family home demanding to know the whereabouts of his ex-wife, who was Katie Stay's sister. Haskell then proceeded to shoot and kill six members of the Stay family, including Zachary, his parents Stephen and Katie Stay, and his siblings Bryan , Emily , and Rebecca .
Cassidy Stay, the eldest daughter, survived by playing dead and later alerted authorities.
The brutal nature of the crime shocked the community and garnered national attention. Haskell was arrested after a standoff with police and faced multiple counts of capital murder. The case highlighted the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of addressing such issues to prevent future tragedies.
The Stay family was remembered for their kindness and the positive impact they had on their community. The funeral service for the family was attended by approximately 1,500 people, who gathered to mourn the loss and celebrate the lives of Stephen, Katie, Bryan, Emily, Rebecca, and Zachary. The community rallied around Cassidy, providing support and raising funds to help with her medical expenses and future needs.
