Facebook Killer At Large: Who is suspect Steve Stephens?
by

The suspect’s ex-girlfriend described him as a “nice guy”

A multi-state manhunt is underway for Steve Stephens, a Cleveland man who is believed to have killed an elderly man in cold blood  — and posted a video of the brutal murder to Facebook Live on Sunday.

Police have been searching for the suspect since early Sunday evening, and he is believed to be driving a white Ford Fusion bearing the temporary tag of E36363.

Read More: Search for Facebook Killer expands to nearby states as ex-girlfriend breaks silence

The New York Post is reporting that investigators told CNN Monday that the suspect’s cell phone indicated he had since been in Erie, Pennsylvania, about an hour east of Cleveland, but Ohio news station WKYC 3 is now reporting that information is not accurate. According to the news station, there is a chance Stephens could still be in Ohio or another neighboring state.

READ more: Search for Facebook Live Killer expands to nearby states

“As far as we know, right now, we don’t know where he’s at,” Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams told WKYC 3. “The last location we actually had him was at the homicide at 93rd Street just north of St. Clair. Anything else right now is kind of speculation. Again, we have investigations going all over this country trying to pinpoint his actual location.”

Cleveland Police also told the news station that while the Facebook Live video was uploaded on Sunday afternoon, the murder appears to have taken place earlier, and was not streamed live.

Stephens, 37, worked for Beech Brook, a Cleveland behavioral health agency providing mental health and housing services to at-risk children. In the video of the shooting, he holds up his employee badge and says, “I’m killing with my Beech Brook badge on too.”

Sunday’s random killing may be another case of an innocent victim become a casualty of a domestic dispute. The suspect in a murder-suicide that killed a teacher and an 8-year-old student at a California elementary school last week was the estranged husband of the teacher he shot to death before turning the gun on himself. The 8-year-old victim was in the classroom, standing next to her.

In the video, before Stephens shoots 74-year-old Robert Godwin, Sr., he asks his victim to say the name “Joy Lane.”

“She’s the reason that this is about to happen to you,” Stephens says before shooting Godwin in the head.

Lane has since removed her social media profiles, but gave a statement to CNN confirming she was his former girlfriend, and said that he was a “nice guy.”

We had been in a relationship for several years. I am sorry that all of this has happened. My heart & prayers goes out to the family members of the victim(s). Steve really is a nice guy… he is generous with everyone he knows. He was kind and loving to me and my children. This is a very difficult time for me and my family Please respect our privacy at this time.

According to the most recent update from Cleveland 19’s Twitter account, Stephens’ last known address was in Twinsburg, Ohio, though an earlier report said it was in Euclid.

Stephens is described as 6 foot 1 inches tall, 244 lbs., with black skin, a bald head, and a full beard. He was last seen wearing a striped polo shirt.

Police are warning that the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who sees Stephens is urged not to approach the suspect but call 911 right away.

 

Photo: Facebook