Accused killer of Paducah woman extradited back from Illinois

A Paducah man accused of killing a woman in her workplace back in December has been extradited back to Kentucky.

Paducah Police detectives went to Illinois to bring 38-year-old Phillip Whitnel back to Kentucky to face the charges. In the early morning hours of December 13th, 2025, Whitnel allegedly walked into KC’s Bar and Grill and shot 31-year-old Stephanie Stacey several times before fleeing across the river. Illinois State Police tracked him and arrested him in Franklin County, Illinois. They arrested and held Whitnel in the Franklin County Jail until the extradition order was approved by the Governor.

Whitnel is charged with murder-domestic violence, and violation of a Kentucky EPO/DVO. He is currently in the McCracken County Regional Jail.