In the quiet city of Decatur, Alabama, a beloved member of the community, 62-year-old Kay Letson Stevens, met a tragic and violent end on November 14, 2015. A concerned friend discovered her body at her home after not hearing from her for several days, a grim finding that would unravel a story of domestic turmoil culminating in a brutal murder.
When authorities arrived at the scene, they found clear signs of violent trauma, immediately launching a homicide investigation that would grip
the community with shock and sorrow. Investigators noted no signs of forced entry, leading them to suspect that the perpetrator was someone known to Stevens. As they delved into her personal life, a painful narrative emerged, pointing toward a difficult period she had been enduring in the months leading up to her death.
The focus of the investigation soon narrowed to one individual: her ex-husband, Roger Dale Stevens. The couple's divorce had been finalized just one day before the killing, a fact that became a crucial element in the unfolding case. Evidence presented during the investigation revealed a deeply troubled motive. According to testimony from Kay's sister and business partner, Brenda Suggs, Roger Dale Stevens had expressed anger over the divorce settlement, complaining that his former wife had received everything.
The investigation culminated in the arrest of Roger Dale Stevens, who was subsequently charged with the murder of his ex-wife. The evidence brought against him was damning, painting a picture of a premeditated and vengeful act. Prosecutors detailed how he shot Kay Letson Stevens outside her bakery and then brutally beat her head against a curb. In December 2020, a Morgan County judge sentenced the then 68-year-old to life in prison for the capital murder of his former wife. The couple's daughter, Angela Stevens, spoke of the profound and lasting trauma of that day, stating that she had lost both her mother and her father.
