Stephanie Denison was identified as the woman whose body was discovered in a river in Jones, where authorities now say she was the victim of a violent homicide.
Her body was found in May by two fishermen, bringing a tragic end to a case that left family and community members searching for answers. Loved ones quickly confirmed her identity, and grief spread as more details began to emerge about the circumstances leading to her death.
According to court documents, Denison had previously confided in her family about ongoing abuse. She reportedly told them that her boyfriend, James Derrell Thompson, had taken her into the woods, beaten her, and choked her until she lost consciousness. Despite the danger, her family said she expressed fear about leaving him.
The medical examiner later determined that Denison had been stabbed and her throat cut before her body was placed in the river. The findings confirmed the severity of the violence she had endured in her final moments.
Authorities arrested Thompson this week, charging him with first-degree murder. The arrest marks a significant development in the case as investigators continue to build their case and seek justice.
Stephanie Denison is remembered by her loved ones not for the circumstances of her death, but for her life and the relationships she shared. Her story has also renewed conversations about recognizing warning signs of abuse and the importance of intervention before it is too late.
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