By Elisa Jo Eagan
On a befittingly rainy Sunday afternoon on the last day of April 2023, family and friends of Stacey Stanton gathered together to honor and remember her life in Northfield, at the home of her brother, Ed Stanton, Jr., and his wife Sharon Stanton.
Elizabeth “Stacey” Stanton was born on Nov. 16, 1961, and was raised in Northfield. She had two older sisters, and a younger brother.
She was a member of Saint Bernadette’s Church (now Saint Gianna’s) in Northfield, received her First Holy Communion in 1969 and attended Saint Joseph’s Regional Catholic School. She was a Girl Scout, and a cheerleader, and graduated from Mainland Regional High School in 1980. After high school, Stacey enrolled in cosmetology school.
She enjoyed cutting hair, waitressing and was very talented. Stacey was a beautiful girl inside and out, with “amazing blue eyes,” a cool style with a gorgeous skin tone that “just glowed.” Friends and family remember that she loved the beach and had a wonderful sense of humor.
The Stanton Family enjoyed visiting friends in the Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk, and surrounding areas of the North Carolina shores, and she fell in love with Manteo, “Andy Griffith’s Mayberry,” much like Northfield, “Stacey’s hometown Mayberry.” She decided to relocate and live there on her own.
On Feb. 3, 1990, at the young age of 28, her precious life and future were taken from her when she was found brutally murdered in her Manteo apartment. A rushed investigation followed, overlooked leads and resulted in false accusations, leading to the conviction of an innocent man. The real murderer was roaming about, unconvicted of this most heinous crime.
Stacey’s devastated, loving family and friends followed the probe of her death, but answers were elusive for three decades. That was until investigative journalist John Railey of Manteo, and his wife Kathleen Railey from Manteo, respectfully and with much care reached out to Stacey’s brother, Ed.
They met with numerous family members and friends, tirelessly delving deeply into years of files and interviews with case insiders. John has published the truth about the murder, writing in detail about the investigations and what he uncovered.
Stacey was a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, daughter and a loving caring friend. She loved her silver tabby cat, Molly. She was deeply loved and is missed so much.
When welcoming and meeting with John and Kathleen Railey last year, several family members and friends gathered around for good food, honoring her life, sharing stories and pictures of Stacey.
John Railey said, “Stacey should be here with us,” to which Ed, Jr. replied, “She is right here with us. Always!” And all agreed.
This week the book, “Murder in Manteo – Seeking Justice for Stacey Stanton” (True Crime-paperback) by John Railey was published and is available for purchase at duckscottage.com.
