Durham Woman Found Dead at Home: Could Better Security Have Saved Her?
You never expect to wake up to a murder investigation next door. But that’s exactly what happened on Audubon Lake Drive in Durham, when police found the body of 44-year-old Stephanie Donita McCoy inside her home.
Neighbors were shocked. The street, usually quiet and routine, was suddenly lined with police tape and flashing blue lights. And behind it all — a tragic story still unfolding.
We don’t have all the answers yet. But what’s clear is this: something went very wrong, and it’s shaken a lot of people. In this article, I’ll walk you through the full timeline, what police know, who they’re looking for, and how the community is reacting.
Not just the headlines — the full human story.
If you’re from Durham or nearby, how safe do you feel after hearing this? Drop your thoughts below. You never know who needs to hear they’re not alone.
Timeline of Events – Piecing Together the Day
It started with a wellness check.
As per ABC 11 report, on May 15, Durham police responded to a call just after 10:30 a.m. at a home on Audubon Lake Drive. Inside, they found Stephanie Donita McCoy — unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to WRAL, the initial call came from someone who hadn’t heard from Stephanie in a while. There were no obvious signs of forced entry. That quickly raised suspicions that this wasn’t an accident — and soon after, the case shifted from a death investigation to a homicide.
Later that day, police named a suspect: Alexander James Glenn Jr., someone known to the victim.
By evening, a manhunt was already underway. Residents were told to stay alert, while law enforcement canvassed the area. At the time of writing, the suspect is still at large.
This wasn’t just another line in a crime report. It unfolded in real time — with real fear, confusion, and unanswered questions.
Victim Profile – Who Was Stephanie Donita McCoy?
Stephanie wasn’t just a name in a police file. She was a daughter, a neighbor, a part of this city.
Public details are still limited, but what we do know is that she lived in that home — alone — and was described by people nearby as “quiet but kind.” A few neighbors told they often saw her walking her dog or exchanging quick hellos during the week.
What’s heartbreaking is how familiar this story feels. A woman, found dead in her own home, with someone she once knew now being hunted as a suspect. And just like that — her story becomes another headline, unless we pause to really see her as a person.
There’s also an undercurrent here that we can’t ignore: the silence around women’s safety, especially in domestic spaces. That silence often lasts until it’s too late.
Suspect Details – The Search for Alexander James Glenn Jr.
The man police are searching for is Alexander James Glenn Jr., 35 years old, and — according to reports — known to Stephanie.
They haven’t released much about their relationship yet. But what’s clear is that authorities believe Glenn had a direct connection to the crime. As soon as he was named a suspect, the Durham Police Department issued an active warrant and asked for the public’s help locating him.
He’s still out there.
As of now, law enforcement is urging anyone who sees him or knows where he might be to call 911 immediately. They’ve shared his photo across media outlets, and the manhunt continues — not just in Durham, but potentially beyond city lines.
Here’s where things get tense: there hasn’t been a major update in over 48 hours. That silence? It’s making people uneasy. And rightly so. If someone capable of this is still out in the open, everyone has the right to be on edge.
This isn’t just about finding a suspect — it’s about protecting a community that feels exposed.
Community Impact – Reactions and Responses
When news like this breaks, it doesn’t just affect the victim’s family — it sends a ripple through the whole neighborhood.
Residents on Audubon Lake Drive say they’re rattled. A few told WRAL that they never expected something so violent to happen “this close to home.” Some are double-checking locks. Others are avoiding going out after dark. That quiet sense of routine in the neighborhood? It’s gone for now.
On social media, the mood is tense. People are asking why there hasn’t been more information. Some are frustrated at how slowly updates are coming out. Others are just scared — especially with the suspect still at large.
And it’s not just about this one crime. Locals are connecting it to a wider feeling: Durham’s changing. Fast. And not always for the better.
Law Enforcement Actions – Ensuring Public Safety
Durham PD isn’t taking this lightly. As soon as Glenn was named a suspect, they issued a statement asking for help from the public and neighboring agencies.
They’ve circulated his image through local stations, posted alerts on social media, and followed up with door-to-door checks in the area. Patrols in nearby neighborhoods have also been quietly increased — not flashy, but visible enough to be noticed.
Still, there’s been criticism. Some residents feel like updates are too slow, and communication has been limited. That’s led to speculation — which can sometimes do more harm than good.
In a separate interview, a Durham County official stressed that “this is an active, high-priority case,” and reassured the public that “multiple leads are being pursued.” But as time passes, people want more than just reassurances — they want resolution.
Security experts say that small oversights—like unlocked windows—are among the top 5 mistakes that can make your home a target for burglars.
Broader Context – Domestic Incidents in Durham
What happened to Stephanie McCoy isn’t just an isolated tragedy — it’s part of a growing pattern that people in Durham are starting to notice.
According to Durham Police Department data, domestic violence-related incidents have been on the rise over the past two years. In 2023 alone, over 1,800 domestic calls were logged. That number doesn’t include unreported cases — the ones that never make it to a phone call or a police report.
In some recent high-profile cases, like the one involving Laresa Garcia Dennis (2023), women were found dead after what appeared to be long-standing relationship issues or histories of abuse. The public often only hears about these women when it’s too late — after something irreversible happens.
And that’s what hurts the most: these are preventable deaths.
No matter how “quiet” a situation looks from the outside, the danger often hides behind closed doors — and it’s time Durham, and other cities like it, start treating domestic violence as a public safety emergency, not just a private matter.
Resources and Support – Where to Seek Help
If you or someone you know is in a potentially dangerous situation, you don’t have to wait until something goes wrong to speak up.
Here are some resources available right now in Durham and statewide:
- Durham Crisis Response Center
24-hour hotline: (919) 403-6562
Website: www.durhamcrisisresponse.org - National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Text “START” to 88788 - NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Offers legal aid, shelter support, and local programs
Website: www.nccadv.org - Safe Space App (iOS & Android)
Discreet help for women facing abuse, allows emergency contacts, logs incidents securely.
Even if you’re not directly affected, knowing where to turn could help someone else tomorrow. Share these resources — not just on social media, but in real conversations.
Ongoing Investigation – What Lies Ahead
As of now, the investigation into Stephanie McCoy’s death is still active — and open.
Police haven’t released many updates in the past few days, but sources say they’re working leads and are in contact with surrounding law enforcement agencies. The main priority remains finding Alexander James Glenn Jr., the man named as the suspect.
What’s frustrating for many is the silence. No press briefings. No timelines. And in a case like this, that lack of transparency leaves people guessing — or worse, forgetting.
But behind the scenes, things are moving. Cases like this don’t go cold quietly. Forensics, digital traces, phone records — all of that takes time. And while public updates are slow, that doesn’t mean the case is sitting idle.
Durham PD has asked the public to stay alert and to contact them with any information. Even something that seems small could matter.
Conclusion
When a story like this hits your city, it’s more than just news — it lingers. In people’s routines. In their conversations. In that gut feeling of, “What if that had been someone I know?”
Stephanie McCoy’s story is about loss. But it’s also about patterns we can’t keep ignoring — about women in danger, systems that react too late, and the quiet kind of violence that happens behind closed doors.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “this sounds familiar,” you’re not alone.
Stay aware. Check in on the people around you. And most of all — don’t stay silent if something feels off.
Let’s talk:
What would make you feel safer in your neighborhood today?
What do you think is missing from how these cases are handled or reported?
Drop your thoughts below. Someone else might need to hear what you’ve got to say.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on publicly available sources as of the time of writing. Details may evolve as the investigation progresses. This piece is intended for informational and awareness purposes only.
