A 45-year-old Elsmere man faces life in prison after his conviction on murder and weapons charges. In July 2016, Steven Pierce became jealous when he believed his girlfriend, Heather Stamper, 31, of
Delaware City was speaking to an old boyfriend. Pierce gained access to Stamper’s bedroom and bludgeoned Stamper to death as she slept. A jury found Pierce guilty of Murder First Degree and Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony.
Pierce will be formally sentenced later this year. Deputy Attorneys General Matthew Frawley and Jenna Milecki prosecuted the case with assistance from social worker Stacey Murphy and paralegal Stacey Coupe.
Original Story
Delaware City – Delaware State Police Homicide Unit detectives have arrested a Wilmington man and charged him in connection with the death of a 31-year-old Delaware City woman which occurred in July, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale.
Hale said that at approximately 2:24 p.m. Saturday, July 9, 2016, Delaware City Police, along with the New Castle County Police responded to the 200 block of Adams Street after a friend contacted 9-1-1 to report the female victim unconscious inside the bedroom of her home. New Castle County Emergency Medical Services also responded to the scene and pronounced the victim dead.
The Delaware Division of Forensic Science was contacted and removed the female victim, Heather Stamper, to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.
Delaware State Police Homicide Detectives were contacted at the request of Delaware City Police and have assumed the investigation into this incident as foul play is suspected. Detectives continued their investigation by conducting interviews and collecting evidence to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident.
Hale said on Friday, October 7, 2016, detectives arrested Steven M. Pierce, 43, at his residence without incident. He was then transported to Troop 2, Glasgow, where he was subsequently charged with Murder 1st Degree and Possession of a Deadly Weapon during the Commission of a Felony. Pierce was arraigned at JP Court 2 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in default of $2,100,000.00 cash bail.
Hale said that during the course of their investigation, Homicide Unit detectives, with the assistance of the Delaware City Police Department, conducted multiple interviews and collected evidence which subsequently led to the identification of Steven Pierce as the suspect who allegedly committed the murder of Heather Stamper at her residence located in the 200 block of Adams Street, Delaware City, on July 8, 2016. An autopsy conducted by the Division of Forensic Sciences determined that Stamper died as a result of blunt force trauma. police said.