GUILTY NC - Stephanie Autry, 34, murdered in her Wake Forest home, 27 Oct 2015

[MsFacetious]

So he only does 2 years for robbing a bank?
Instead of being grateful for the 2nd chance he kills his wife and robs another bank?!

 

[Wish I Knew]

Oh, boy......this is not going to go well :-(

So very sad for Stephanie and all those who loved he...r

 

[Fairy1]

Oh my. This is a really bad guy with nothing to lose. I hope they find him soon.

 

[SurfieTX]

:busted:

Multiple sources told a Memphis television station that Lanson Paul Stalf, wanted for the murder of his wife in Wake Forest Tuesday, is now in custody after he was found at a Quality Inn in Batesville, Miss.

Authorities said officers caught Stalf after workers from a different hotel notified police he checked in using his real name.

Read more at http://www.wral.com/wake-forest-mur...bery-in-memphis/15044771/#XtrrzcU5LTtGKwKe.99

 

[Lenoir18]

I just joined ws to respond to this thread.
I worked with Stephanie. She never talked about her personal life, so I knew nothing about her husband.
I can say she was very kind, caring, and intelligent. I will truly miss seeing her.

 

[Madeleine74]

This guy was none too smart and he proved that a few times.

He got a shorter sentence because he didn't use a weapon in the first robbery.

Remember, we have murderers taking pleas to 2nd degree and getting 10 yrs or less in prison in some cases in this area. But this guy won't get a plea deal since he was already a convicted felon.

 

[borndem]

I just looked to see if this murder was already on WS and sure enough it is.

Another (alleged) spousal murder. They seem to be ever so common nowadays. There's barely a year where there isn't at least one here in the NC and greater Raleigh area.

Wake Forest is located north of Raleigh, it is a border town to Raleigh.

I just did the same thing -- I was ready to put it out there, but Surfie has the ball rolling already!

This is another tuff one. I guess he couldn't wait to get out so he could kill her?? Bless her heart. I guess she felt safe for a little while - such a little while. Maddening.

Here's the latest from WRAL:

Local News

Report: Wake Forest homicide victim found with bag on head, hammer nearby
.
According to a search warrant, Autry was found with a plastic bag over her head and a blanket covering her body. A hammer and a sweatshirt that appeared to have bloodstains on it were found near the bathroom.
.
Read more at http://www.wral.com/report-wake-for...d-hammer-nearby/15055791/#mE2PFLTTbswcypbQ.99

 

[borndem]

Here's a link to his record with NC Dept of Public Safety. You can see the date of his Parole Begin Date as 10/15/15. He didn't waste much time. SMH.

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=1463442&searchLastName=Stalf&searchFirstName=Lanson&searchGender=M&searchRace=1&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

 

[borndem]

How heartbreaking. Why was this guy out in two years after robbing a bank?

He was convicted in NC of "Larceny from Person" in NC, and he got 1 yr/6mo. for that.

I don't know anything about a bank robbery before Stephanie's murder -- usually the Secret Service prosecutes bank robberies and his record for that would be federal -- which I cannot find -- will keep looking...

He apparently robbed a bank in Mississippi just before he was captured a few weeks ago.

Wake Forest murder suspect captured in Mississippi

Stalf's capture came after he reportedly robbed a bank earlier Friday in Hernando, Mississippi.

http://abc11.com/news/wake-forest-murder-suspect-captured-in-mississippi-/1060181/

 

[borndem]

So he only does 2 years for robbing a bank?
Instead of being grateful for the 2nd chance he kills his wife and robs another bank?!

It apparently got busted down to felony larceny -- the article below mentions it...
Ahhh, who knoze??

Wake Forest police seek man in connection with wife’s death

Stalf was released from prison Oct. 15. He was charged in Wake County in December 2013 with common law robbery. The charges were eventually reduced to felony larceny from a person.

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/crime/article41694492.html#storylink=cpy​

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/crime/article41694492.html

 

[borndem]

I just joined ws to respond to this thread.
I worked with Stephanie. She never talked about her personal life, so I knew nothing about her husband.
I can say she was very kind, caring, and intelligent. I will truly miss seeing her.

Welcome,
Lenoir!

We're glad to have you with us!
​

 

[1&2&3]

This is so sad! Why did this woman let him stay with her when he was released? Did he threaten her? Did she think he had changed? In one of the articles, it is reported he broke into a back window. This sounds like she did not give him a key.

What was the backstory of him staying with her? We will never know.

ETA: The link regarding the broken window is:
abc11.com/news/wake-forest-murder-victim-found-with-bag-over-head/1065211/

 

[Madeleine74]

<tongue in cheek>

Hmm..another husband charged with killing his wife. Now where is the "man-saving female brigade to insist this husband has been railroaded by corrupt Wake County cops"?

</tongue out of cheek>

 

[NCBanker]

It has been SEVERAL years since I've been on Websleuths, but I was an avid follower and contributor on Janet Abaroa.

I knew Stephanie personally, and I was absolutely shocked when I heard her name on television in reference to the murder. I literally sat for several minutes in complete shock. I couldn't move. I had actually texted her around 7:45 on the Tuesday that she died. I knew the "ex" (as she referred to him) was being released in mid October, but I had no idea, nor did she, that he'd be hanging out in NC, and I hadn't spoken with her in the two weeks that he'd been out. She completely expected him to go to Illinois to be near family. We actually discussed her hopes that he'd sign over his rights to their child. I can only guess that he wanted to be near his son. Stephanie was not hoping for reconciliation, so again, I can only imagine that she allowed "ex" to stay with her temporarily for the benefit of their son who so desperately needed a father. This was a great desire for her. My guess is that she kicked him out when she learned that he was up to his old tricks. To provide a brief background, the "ex" (I don't know whether he went by Paul or Lanson or Lanny) had been involved heavily in gambling and drugs (both using and dealing). Prior to that, he had worked in finance at a car dealership and had made really good money. Not sure how or why he screwed that up.

 

[borndem]

It has been SEVERAL years since I've been on Websleuths, but I was an avid follower and contributor on Janet Abaroa.

I knew Stephanie personally, and I was absolutely shocked when I heard her name on television in reference to the murder. I literally sat for several minutes in complete shock. I couldn't move. I had actually texted her around 7:45 on the Tuesday that she died. I knew the "ex" (as she referred to him) was being released in mid October, but I had no idea, nor did she, that he'd be hanging out in NC, and I hadn't spoken with her in the two weeks that he'd been out. She completely expected him to go to Illinois to be near family. We actually discussed her hopes that he'd sign over his rights to their child. I can only guess that he wanted to be near his son. Stephanie was not hoping for reconciliation, so again, I can only imagine that she allowed "ex" to stay with her temporarily for the benefit of their son who so desperately needed a father. This was a great desire for her. My guess is that she kicked him out when she learned that he was up to his old tricks. To provide a brief background, the "ex" (I don't know whether he went by Paul or Lanson or Lanny) had been involved heavily in gambling and drugs (both using and dealing). Prior to that, he had worked in finance at a car dealership and had made really good money. Not sure how or why he screwed that up.

:welcome:

back to Websleuths,
:balloons:
NCBanker!!!

We're glad you're here!

:thewave:
​

 

[NCBanker]

Brief Google search of Stalf shows that he used to play poker quite a bit on the circuits, which is probably why he robbed the bank, I guess.

He robbed the bank in connection with his drug dealing.

 

[NCBanker]

I don't have the link handy, but Stalf was charged with larceny. A cursory Google search shows it can be a pretty light sentence depending on the amount of goods/money and criminal record.

SA's facebook said she worked as a traveling nurse. From what I understand, that's a pretty good income. I'm sure Stephanie "saw the light" after he was incarcerated and no longer went for his money grubbing schemes, especially from her. In fact, I would bet that he probably stole one of her credit cards the minute he got out so he could gamble.

Stalf was originally charged with bank robbery, but he didn't have a weapon and had a great lawyer who got it pled down to a much less severe charge.

Stephanie made decent money, but she was struggling financially. She had lost her room-mate who had helped pay half the rent, plus Stalf had already wrecked her credit, so she had no credit cards. She was behind several payments on her car lease as well.

 

[NCBanker]

This is so sad! Why did this woman let him stay with her when he was released? Did he threaten her? Did she think he had changed? In one of the articles, it is reported he broke into a back window. This sounds like she did not give him a key.

What was the backstory of him staying with her? We will never know.

ETA: The link regarding the broken window is:
abc11.com/news/wake-forest-murder-victim-found-with-bag-over-head/1065211/

I indicated in an earlier post, but I'm guessing she allowed him to stay with them for three reasons. She was lonely, her son needed his father, and she needed money, badly. I'm sure she hoped that he could somehow contribute and help her out of her financial dilemma that had been ongoing for quite sometime. She only worked 3-4 days a week at the most. She was carrying the rent without the room-mate she originally had, plus the hefty car payment, plus expensive childcare for her son, plus a hefty gas bill driving back and forth to Duke from Wake Forest.

 

[wendybtn]

I indicated in an earlier post, but I'm guessing she allowed him to stay with them for three reasons. She was lonely, her son needed his father, and she needed money, badly. I'm sure she hoped that he could somehow contribute and help her out of her financial dilemma that had been ongoing for quite sometime. She only worked 3-4 days a week at the most. She was carrying the rent without the room-mate she originally had, plus the hefty car payment, plus expensive childcare for her son, plus a hefty gas bill driving back and forth to Duke from Wake Forest.

Traveling nurse or not, that home looked very nice, she had a nanny, and only worked 3-4 days a week? I would say even without a felon husband that her budget would be extremely tight. I am surprised she did not divorce him and try to get him to terminate his rights to his child by seeking no alimony or child support. She could get a new placement for her employment. Such a sad story. Now the baby boy has neither parent.

 

[wendybtn]

I indicated in an earlier post, but I'm guessing she allowed him to stay with them for three reasons. She was lonely, her son needed his father, and she needed money, badly. I'm sure she hoped that he could somehow contribute and help her out of her financial dilemma that had been ongoing for quite sometime. She only worked 3-4 days a week at the most. She was carrying the rent without the room-mate she originally had, plus the hefty car payment, plus expensive childcare for her son, plus a hefty gas bill driving back and forth to Duke from Wake Forest.

Traveling nurse or not, that home looked very nice, she had a nanny, and only worked 3-4 days a week? I would say even without a felon husband that her budget would be extremely tight. I am surprised she did not divorce him and try to get him to terminate his rights to his child by seeking no alimony or child support. She could get a new placement for her employment. Such a sad story. Now the baby boy has neither parent.