In the winter of 2013, a chilling series of events unfolded in the small city of Hazard, Kentucky, culminating in the tragic death of 20-year-old Caitlin Paige Cornett. The incident, which also claimed the lives of her uncle and young cousin, stemmed from a contentious custody dispute that took a violent and fatal turn in a community college parking lot. The young woman's life was cut short during a planned exchange of her two-year-old son, a meeting that devolved into a scene of deadly gunfire, leaving a family shattered and a community in mourning.
The day of the incident, Caitlin had arranged to meet her ex-boyfriend, 21-year-old Dalton Lee Stidham, to pick up their son after a court-ordered visit. Just hours before the scheduled meeting, Stidham legally purchased a. 40-caliber Glock pistol. Accompanied by her 53-year-old uncle, Jackie Doug Cornett, and his 12-year-old daughter, Taylor Cornett, Caitlin arrived at the Hazard Community and Technical College. As their vehicle entered the parking lot, Stidham opened fire, unleashing multiple rounds into the car.
The aftermath of the shooting was grim. Jackie Cornett was found deceased in the driver's seat, and his daughter Taylor was discovered in the back seat, gravely wounded. Caitlin was found on the ground near the vehicle, having also sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Taylor was rushed to the hospital but tragically succumbed to her injuries the following day. Caitlin's two-year-old son, who was with Stidham at the time of the shooting, was unharmed. Following the attack, Stidham took the child to his family's home before turning himself in to the authorities.
Dalton Lee Stidham was subsequently arrested and faced three counts of murder. According to police reports, Stidham admitted to the shootings. The motive appeared to be rooted in the bitter custody battle over their son. A court hearing just a day before the shooting had resulted in joint custody, with Caitlin designated as the primary caregiver. This legal outcome is believed to have been the catalyst for the tragic events that followed. Stidham was ultimately convicted for the triple murder, bringing a legal conclusion to a case that left an indelible mark on the community of Hazard.
