More than ten years after the murder of Renee Eldridge the trial for Stacey Gray is set to begin in Superior Court with Judge Carolyn “Tippi” Burch presiding. District Attorney Don Kelly will argue the state’s case against Gray. Public defender Angela Dillon is representing Gray.
Eldridge was abducted from her home in Columbus during the early morning hours of July 4th, 2015. Her body was found in a Valley, Alabama creek three days later. She suffered from blunt force trauma to the head according to an autopsy report.
Stacey Gray was a family friend at the time of the murder and was identified as the prime suspect early on in the case. Gray was captured and taken into custody in Notasulga, Alabama after a manhunt July 13, 2015.
Charges initially brought in Chambers County were dismissed in 2021 after a court ruling excluding DNA evidence. Gray was then extradited back to Columbus and later indicted for the charges of malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault and rape for the death of Eldridge.
Jury selection is underway and opening statements are expected early in the week of November 17, 2025.
