 |
This article's content is marked as Mature The page Steve Stephens contains mature content that may include coarse language, sexual references, and/or graphic violent images which may be disturbing to some. Mature pages are recommended for those who are 18 years of age and older. If you are 18 years or older or are comfortable with graphic material, you are free to view this page. Otherwise, you should close this page and view another page. |
|
Steve William Stephens (December 10th, 1979 – April 18th, 2017) was a murderer who shot and killed 74-year-old Robert L. Godwin, Sr. on Facebook live. He uploaded the murder on Facebook dubbing him "The Facebook Killer". He worked as a vocational specialist at Beech Brook, a behavioral health agency for children and families. He was wearing his work ID badge and repeatedly mentioned Beech Brook in multiple videos on the day of the murder. Police confirmed there was no known connection between Godwin and Stephens prior to the shooting and that Godwin was selected at random. Stephens' mother was quoted as having told authorities that Stephens told her by phone he was "shooting people" because he was "mad with his girlfriend" of about three years, who was confirmed to be safe and was cooperating with investigators at the time.
Joy Lane
Joy Lane was the reason Stephens went on his "Easter Day Slaughter", as he calls it. He told Robert Godwin, Sr. to say "Joy Lane." before shortly shooting Godwin, Sr. In an interview with Lane, she said that her relationship with Stephens was fine and two days before the shooting they said they loved each other. She said she doesn't know why he blamed her in his killing.
The Shooting of Robert Godwin, Sr.
On Easter Sunday, April 16th, 2017, Steve Stephens, 37, started a Facebook livestream in his car.began the stream saying "I found someone to kill, I'm going to kill this person right here, this old dude." He then got out of his car and yelled out "Can you do me a favor? Can you
say Joy Lane?" Then Godwin, Sr. said "Do What?" Stephens said "Joy
Lane." "Joy Lane?" Godwin, Sr. asked. "She's the reason all this is about to happen to you.". Stephens then said "How old are you?" Before Godwin, Sr. could answer Stephens took out a gun. "Hey, hey man, please, please, I don't know...I don't know anybody by that name-" Stephens then shot Godwin, Sr. in his left cheek. Stephens then spun around to show Godwin, Sr.'s bloody body. "That mother***er dead because of you Joy." Stephens then got back in his car, drove away and ended the stream.
More Videos
Stephens made multiple livestreams after the murder. One he is ranting about Joy Lane, and another he's talking to someone on the phone claiming he killed 13 more people than just Godwin, Sr., even though there is only evidence of one murder, Godwin, Sr,'s.
Manhut and Suicide
On April 18th, 2017, Stephens was recognized by a McDonald's drive thru worker, and was told to wait on his fries. While they called the police Stephens became suspicious and left, shortly there after police started a car chase with Stephens. Nearly 10 minutes after being chased Stephens started a livestream. Before the stream ended you can hear police sirens. Stephens committed suicide with the gun that killed Godwin, Sr.