Stacy Hazelton

Hazelton was last seen at the Alligator Place Apartments in Bolivar County, Mississippi on May 21, 2004. She had recently moved to Mississippi earlier that year with her boyfriend, James Fannings Jr. Though she moved, she stayed in close contact with her family back in Pennsylvania.

Hazelton and Fannings moved in with Fannings’ long-time friend, Chevaun Mack. The couple began running out of money shortly after moving in and it is reported that Fannings was frequently unfaithful, abusive and would lock Hazelton in their bedroom.

Hazelton spoke with her parents in May and asked if they would send her money so that she could move back home. Her parents sent her the money but she never came back. After several months of trying to make contact with their daughter, Hazelton’s parents reported her missing in December of 2004.

Fannings was arrested for Hazelton’s murder in January 2006 after Chevaun Mack said that he saw Fannings shoot Hazelton in the head during an argument. Mack was made to help Fannings dispose of Hazelton’s body. The two men placed her into a barrel and placed the barrel in the back of Hazelton’s Chevy Blazer. Fannings drove the car around with the barrel and body of Hazelton inside for a few days before attempting to burn Hazelton’s body in the barrel. Mack said that they then buried Hazelton’s remains in a remote location near a creek in Duncan, Mississippi.

Fannings then drove Hazelton’s Blazer to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fannings was tried later in 2006 for Hazelton’s murder. Aside from Mack’s testimony of Hazelton’s murder, the case was largely circumstantial. After only 16 minutes of deliberation, Fannings was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. He appealed his sentence in 2008 but the courts upheld his conviction.

Hazelton’s remains have not been located.

Investigating Agency Information:

Pennsylvania State Police

(717)299-7650

Agency Case #: J01-1049751

Bolivar County Sheriff’s Department

(662)843-5378

Agency Case #: 2005120019

NamUs ID#: MP4355

Additional Resources:

Texas EquuSearch

The Charley Project