BURNSVILLE, Okla. – The body of a missing woman was discovered on a property in Burneyville this week, prompting her family to take action in honor of her memory. Stephanie Loftin, who was reported missing from Lamar County, Texas on December 6th, had her body found at the Burneyville property. Her family is now determined to prevent other families from experiencing the same tragedy.
Described as the “life of the party” by her nieces, Stephanie had a vibrant, friendly personality and was always able to connect with anyone. Her love for her family brought her back to Paris, Texas, where she had recently moved from Florida in order to meet her 6-week-old grandson. According to her nieces, Stephanie ended her relationship with Michael Gonzales, believing that he posed a threat to her life.
Gonzales was subsequently arrested in Los Angeles after being tracked down by a Stephens County Deputy. He led investigators to Stephanie’s remains on the Burneyville property, where it was determined that she had been fatally shot. Gonzales now faces a charge of First Degree Murder. Despite the tragedy, Stephanie’s nieces are determined to ensure that her story does not end there.
In her memory, they are working towards establishing a national registry for convicted domestic violence offenders, as well as a national alert system for missing victims of domestic violence. They hope that by shining a light on the reality of domestic violence, they can prevent others from experiencing the same fate as their beloved aunt. Stephanie’s family is turning their grief into action, pushing for legislative changes in her name.