Person of interest in Becci Sanders murder dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound

The Cullman, Alabama, man termed by the Jasper County Sheriff's Office as a person of interest in the January 13 murder of Becci Sanders, 46, Sarcoxie, is dead.

In a news release issued this evening, the Sheriff's Office said the body of Justin Chase Stevens, 34, was found in a Cullman residence, dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

At approximately 4:00 PM, 01-30-2021, Cullman County Sheriff’s deputies were advised of a possible location of Justin Chase Stevens. 

The information received was that he was staying in the garage of a residence. Deputies surrounded the house and attempted to call him out. 

After not responding to requests to exit the residence, deputies went into the garage and found Stevens dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The next of kin has been notified.

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office is appreciative of the assistance from various law enforcement agencies throughout the course of this investigation.

Stevens arrived in Sarcoxie January 1 after crashing a car on I-44. He was given a ride to the Kum and Go and fled on foot from there due to being a suspect in a sex crimes against children investigation in Alabama.

Sarcoxie Police Department posted a Facebook message asking the public to keep an eye out for Stevens.

Justin Chase Stevens, 34 year old white male, 6'1", 175 pounds, brown buzz cut, and blue eyes. Last seen walking into the woods, prior to law enforcement arrival, west of Kum & Go wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans.

Stevens has made suicidal statements and said that he was not going to prison for an investigation stemming from Alabama. 

Stevens is armed, do not approach, and immediately call local law enforcement.

In response to a question in the comment section of that post about why officers did not attempt to track Stevens, the Sarcoxie Police responded:

As far as tracking him, our department, as well as County and State deliberated for some time that going in after him with no charges or warrants, could have led to a bad end. It was safer for all involved to not pursue in ice covered underbrush, falling limbs, and the potential of having to use force against the subject or injuring ourselves.

Deputies discovered the body of Sanders, 46, when they responded to a medical call at 2755 High Street, Sarcoxie, 8:58 p.m. January 13.

Her vehicle, a gray 2015 Subaru Legacy was reported missing at the time. It was not long after that the Jasper County Sheriff's Office said it was searching for Stevens as a person of interest.

Stevens used a stolen debit card belonging to Sanders when he used two vending machines in Springfield, Illinois the day after her death, according to a probable cause statement filed in Jasper County Circuit Court, where he was charged with two counts of felony stealing.

Surveillance video enabled Jasper County deputies to identify Stevens.

The car Stevens was driving, according to the probable cause statement, was Sanders' 2015 Subaru Legacy.

In a news release issued January 15, the Jasper County Sheriff's Office reported the vehicle was found abandoned in Warren County, Kentucky.