GIFFORD — Cold Justice, a true crime series on the Oxygen Network, will re-examine the 1999 fatal shooting of a grandmother described as a quiet, God-fearing woman who cherished her family. The episode will air at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11.
Stephanie Jackson, 48, was shot several times in the living room of her Gifford home on Sept. 3, 1999. The woman’s daughter discovered her body lying on a chair. A pillow pierced with three bullet holes covered Jackson’s face.
“Her loss was unnecessary. It’s outrageous for someone so kind and good to be taken away like that. She was like everyone’s grandmother – the perfect person you’d want to spend time with,” said Bridgette Sanders, the lead Indian River County sheriff’s detective on the case. “We’re still actively pursuing all leads in that case. Watching the show on Saturday will shed a lot of light on where we’re headed and what we’re doing.”
The unsolved homicide case was reopened in 2024. Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said deputies have a suspect they believe is connected to the murder.
“We came to a consensus that the suspected motive was revenge,” said Ed Glaser, cold case coordinator for the sheriff’s office. “We think the suspect was someone familiar with the family.”
Deputies continue to speak with those who knew Jackson.
Glaser said upgraded technology allowed detectives to trace new DNA on the pillow, something that had not been discovered in the past. Glaser said the DNA is a mixture, meaning it contains genetic material from two or more people.
Glaser said deputies hope to have the DNA results back from the Indian River Crime Lab by the end of the year.
Kelly Siegler, host of Cold Justice and a nationally-recognized prosecutor, traveled with her team to Indian River County to film the episode, which is part of Season 8. The team spent a few weeks in the area and spoke with the original detective on the case – Nancy McNally.
“(McNally’s) retired. She came back to help me investigate this case,” Sanders said. “It was a really special moment because you have someone who truly has that initial knowledge who worked this homicide. You have that firsthand expertise.”
A preview of the episode suggests that whoever murdered Jackson may have already been familiar with her house. Homicide detectives recreated the scene, where they pointed out that after the shooting, the gunman rummaged through Jackson’s purses, took a sentimental item and locked the door as he left the house.
“There was no home invasion…no signs the home was broken into,” Sanders said. “Nothing of monetary value was stolen. There was one thing that was taken. Go watch the show to find out.”
Jackson grew up in Gifford and worked at a local packing house for 25 years, where she had just become supervisor, according to deputies. The grandmother attended St. Peter’s Missionary Baptist Church.
Jackson lived with her daughter, Tonia Edwards, according to deputies. Jackson was redecorating her bedroom before she was killed.
“(Stephanie) Jackson loved decorating. She was painting and moving stuff around,” Sanders said. “She was always cleaning. Her house was in order. She had her pillows exactly how she wanted them.”
Edwards had returned from dropping her children off at school when she went in the home and found her mother’s body. Edwards and Jackson were like best friends, deputies said.
“Reopening the case and identifying new leads opens up trauma for the family,” Sanders said. “It’s hard for the family. We want justice.”
Jackson loved to go thrift shopping with her sister and cooked for her family.
Sanders said reopening the case will give it the attention and time it deserves.
“Every family that has lost a loved one in a death like that deserves justice,” Sanders said. “Every case that I touch, I’m passionate about… I think every detective is. That’s why we do the job.”
The episode will be available to watch on the following channels:
- Oxygen Network
- Comcast Channel 376
- AT&T Channel 124
Those with information on the case can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS or tcwatch.org and possibly be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
“We encourage the community to watch, support our detectives, and help spark new information that could lead to solving this case,” sheriff’s officials said.
