Bio

William Richard Stevens was born on March 1, 1956. He was adopted into a family that included five children. His childhood was described as normal, and he had a close relationship with his family. He grew up in Tennessee.

As a young adult, Stevens had encounters with the law. In 1977, he was convicted of second-degree murder. This conviction marked a significant event in his life and affected his future. After serving time, he worked in various jobs, including mobile home repair. During this time, he was known to be hard-working and dedicated.

Stevens eventually got married. His marriage was troubled, leading to significant conflicts between him and his wife, Sandra Jean Stevens. They had a son together named John. Stevens also had a previous marriage to Vickie Stevens, with whom he had a son. He maintained a relationship with his children and was generally seen as a devoted father.

Throughout his life, Stevens had a history of seeking money from family members, which sometimes raised concerns. Friends and family noted that he borrowed money frequently and had financial issues. Despite these difficulties, many people in his community described him as helpful, often assisting neighbors and offering support to those in need.

Murder Story

William Richard Stevens was convicted of first-degree murder for killing his wife, Sandra Jean Stevens, and her mother, Myrtle Wilson, in December 1997. On December 22, police responded to a 911 call from Stevens and his neighbor, Corey Milliken. When officers arrived at his mobile home in Nashville, they discovered the bodies of Sandra and Myrtle.

Sandra was found strangled to death, while Myrtle had been both stabbed and strangled. Investigations revealed that Milliken was hired by Stevens to kill the two women. Stevens had planned the murders in detail and provided instructions to Milliken on how to carry them out. He intended to make the crime appear as if it were a burglary.

After the murders, Milliken stole some jewelry and altered the crime scene to mislead investigators. He eventually confessed and gave a detailed account of the events. His confession, along with physical evidence found nearby, linked both him and Stevens to the murders.

Stevens was arrested and later sentenced to death for his role in the murders. The jury found aggravating factors, including that Stevens had hired Milliken to commit the murders for financial gain. On July 23, 1999, Stevens was officially sentenced to death for the brutal killings of his wife and mother-in-law.