Bio

Richard Dale Stokley was born on September 9, 1952. He grew up in a troubled environment. As a young man, Stokley became involved in various activities. He reportedly had a talent for performing and worked as a stuntman. This skill brought him opportunities to participate in community events. Stokley took part in Western reenactments, which were popular in the area.

In the summer of 1991, Stokley was 38 years old. He attended a Fourth of July celebration in Elfrida, Arizona. This event was a gathering for families, and many local children participated. Stokley's presence there was part of his role as a stuntman.

Stokley's life began to change when he met Randy Brazeal at this event. Brazeal was 20 years old and had a connection to the girls attending the fair. This relationship would soon lead to tragic events that impacted many lives.

Murder Story

On July 8, 1991, Richard Dale Stokley and Randy Brazeal kidnapped two 13-year-old girls, Mandy Meyers and Mary Snyder, from a community celebration in Elfrida, Arizona. They took the girls to a remote area in the desert. There, they sexually assaulted both girls. Fearing the consequences of their actions, Stokley and Brazeal decided to kill them to avoid being caught. Stokley strangled one of the girls while Brazeal strangled the other.

To make sure the girls were dead, Stokley stomped on their bodies and stabbed each girl in the right eye with a knife. After the murders, they disposed of the girls' bodies by throwing them down an abandoned mine shaft filled with water. The next day, Stokley turned himself in to the police. He confessed to the crimes and led authorities to the location of the bodies.

Stokley was arrested, and DNA evidence linked both him and Brazeal to the crimes. In a plea agreement, Brazeal admitted to second-degree murder and received a 20-year prison sentence. Stokley was charged with multiple offenses, including two counts of first-degree murder and kidnapping.

The trial began in March 1992, and Stokley was convicted later that month. He was sentenced to death on July 14, 1992. After many years of appeals, he was executed by lethal injection on December 5, 2012. Stokley had no last words before his execution and requested a specific last meal, which included a porterhouse steak and other items.