In the quiet, early morning hours of December 4, 2025, the life of Ashleigh E. McKinzie, a 41-year-old White female from Silver Point, Tennessee, was tragically cut short. An associate professor of sociology at Middle Tennessee State University, Dr. McKinzie was found deceased along Smithville Highway near Captain's Point Road in DeKalb County. The cause of death was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds.
When deputies from the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office arrived at the scene, they
discovered Dr. McKinzie in the roadway. Lying next to her body was her own loaded and cocked handgun. Also present at the scene was 27-year-old Todd C. Stanton. A handgun belonging to Stanton was found on the hood of his truck.
Authorities have reported that Stanton is cooperating with the ongoing investigation, which is being conducted by the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. As of now, no criminal charges have been filed in connection with Dr. McKinzie's death, and investigators are diligently working to piece together the events that led to the fatal shooting.
The unexpected death of the respected professor, who had been a valued member of the MTSU community since 2017 and specialized in research on family violence, sent shockwaves through the university. Students and colleagues remembered her as a caring educator who was deeply dedicated to her work and her students. The university has made counseling services available to students and staff struggling to cope with the loss.
