In the quiet neighborhood of West Little Rock, a tragedy unfolded on January 16, 2023, forever altering the lives of a family. Stacy Ann Petty, a 45-year-old female, was found deceased in her home on Epernay Circle. The discovery was made in the evening when police responded to a distressing call from the son of Stacy's husband, Nathan Petty. The caller reported that his father and stepmother were both deceased inside the residence.
Upon their arrival at approximately 7:26 p.m., Little
Rock Police Department officers confirmed the grim reality. They located Stacy Petty, who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Also in the home was her 45-year-old husband, Nathan Petty, who was found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The preliminary investigation quickly pointed to a murder-suicide, with Nathan Petty as the sole suspect in his wife's death.
Further investigation revealed that the couple was in the process of a divorce. Stacy, an accomplished and caring Advanced Practice Registered Nurse who served as a director at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, was reportedly looking forward to new beginnings. The tragic event left the community and her colleagues mourning the loss of a dedicated healthcare professional. As the suspect died at the scene, no arrests were made in connection with Stacy Petty's death. Both bodies were transported to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for autopsies to officially determine the cause and manner of death.
