In a tragic incident in Kentucky, a woman was fatally shot by her estranged husband while she was at work, amidst ongoing divorce proceedings, according to local authorities.

Phillip Whitnel, 38, has been charged with murder in connection to domestic violence and for violating a Kentucky protective order. He is accused of taking the life of 31-year-old Stephanie Stacey, as documented by McCracken County jail records.

The incident occurred in the early hours of December 13, 2025, around 3:14 a.m. at KC’s Bar and Grill in Paducah, which the Paducah Police Department described as a “nightclub” in their recent press release. Paducah is situated in western Kentucky, near the Ohio River, just a short distance from Brookport, Illinois.

According to witnesses, a man, later identified as Whitnel, entered the bar and shot Stacey multiple times before escaping the scene, as stated by the police. Despite being rushed to a local hospital, Stacey succumbed to her injuries.

Police investigations revealed that Whitnel and Stacey had previously been in a relationship, with NBC affiliate WPSD reporting that the couple was married but undergoing a divorce. At the time of the shooting, Stacey was reportedly working at the club.

After obtaining a murder warrant for Whitnel, detectives discovered he had fled to Illinois. He was subsequently apprehended by the Illinois State Police during a traffic stop.

He was booked into the Franklin County Jail in Illinois until Wednesday, when he was extradited back to McCracken County, Kentucky. He was served with an indictment and he is expected to appear in court on March 12.

Stacey’s obituary says she “thrived in the restaurant and hospitality industry, endearing herself to colleagues and guests alike through her kind-hearted spirit, steadfast dedication, and an admirable work ethic that never faltered. She was a ray of light in every establishment she graced, and her warm demeanor made her a favorite among patrons and peers.”

She was a mother of two and a stepmother to one, with one of her sons and the stepdaughter holding the same last name as the defendant.

WPSD reported that a piece of legislation in Kentucky named “Stephanie’s Law” is being pushed in honor of her. The law would require that someone with at least two domestic violence offenses be placed on a registry where details such as their name, date of birth, crimes, and a photograph would be available to the public.