Damara Alexis Kirkland, a 35-year-old woman from St. Paul, Minnesota, tragically lost her life on October 19, 2024, in a shocking incident that sent shockwaves through the community. Kirkland, who was approximately two months pregnant at the time, was found shot to death in her apartment on Sycamore Street, between Jackson and Agate streets in St. Paul.
The primary suspect in Kirkland's murder is her estranged husband, Michael Allan Stowers, also known as Mychel Stowers, aged 36.
Stowers, who was on parole for a previous second-degree murder conviction from 2008, had been granted permission to visit Kirkland on the day of the shooting. The couple was in the process of divorcing, with Stowers having filed for divorce in June, though it had not been finalized at the time of the incident.
Law enforcement responded to reports of gunshots just after 9 p.m. on October 19. Upon arrival, they discovered Kirkland's body surrounded by 9mm shell casings. Paramedics declared her dead around 9:30 p.m.. The investigation revealed several pieces of evidence linking Stowers to the crime, including ultrasound photos and a letter addressed to him found in the apartment.
The case took an additional tragic turn when it was revealed that shortly after Kirkland's murder, Stowers was allegedly involved in a nearby carjacking and shooting. In this incident, a 36-year-old man was shot and suffered a broken femur. The assailant, matching Stowers' description, also attempted to shoot another individual before fleeing with the stolen vehicle.
Following these events, Stowers reportedly contacted the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, confessing to having shot someone and expressing a desire to turn himself in. However, he did not follow through with the surrender, leading to a manhunt. The search for Stowers came to a dramatic end on November 12, 2024, when he was killed by police.
The tragic death of Damara Alexis Kirkland and her unborn child has raised serious questions about the parole system and the protection of vulnerable individuals. Kirkland's untimely passing has left a void in the St. Paul community, where she was born on May 24, 1989, in nearby Minneapolis.
