GYPSY SISTERS Nettie’s stepson Rocky Stanley murdered in stabbing, was to be a dad today

Gypsy Sisters star Nettie Stanley and her family are in our thoughts today as they mourn the loss of her stepson Huey “Rocky” Stanley, who was murdered in a stabbing incident Monday night in Kingsport, Tennessee. The altercation was in the parking lot of a local YMCA and was reportedly over a basketball game.

Rocky was the son of Nettie’s husband, Huey Stanley. According to Nettie’s sister Mellie Stanley, the woman carrying Rocky’s child (it is unknown if they were married) is currently in labor and expected to give birth later today. (The photo above is of Rocky and Nettie’s daughter Dallas, taken in 2011.)

21-year-old Zachary Morris Gardner of Kingsport (mug shot photo above) later turned himself in and has since been charged with 1st Degree Murder.

“This is the person who took the life of such a young man last night,” Mellie wrote along with a photo of Zachary Gardner. “I hope he gets what he deserves and rots in prison.” She adds, “This is so crazy and shocking and still can’t believe Rocky is gone it’s like a bad dream.”

Mellie and a number of other family members have since changed their profile photos to this picture of Rocky:

According to online records, Zachary has a rather extensive criminal history that includes theft, gun possession, and disorderly conduct. I’ve gathered together some of his previous mug shot photos:

Here is a complete summary of what we know about the Kingsport Police Department’s investigation so far:

On 03/30/2015 at approximately 10:40 pm, 22 year old Huey Stanley Jr. of Kingsport arrived at a local hospital suffering from stab wounds. He was later pronounced dead by a hospital doctor. The Kingsport Police Department Detectives Unit responded.

The subsequent investigation by the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division revealed that Mr. Stanley had been stabbed during an altercation that occurred in the parking lot of the YMCA located at 1840 Meadowview Parkway in Kingsport.

Detectives spoke to witnesses and the suspect was identified as 21 year old Zachary Morris Gardner of Kingsport. The crime scene was processed and a knife believed to be the murder weapon was located.

On 03/31/2015 at approximately 8:30 am, Zachary Morris Gardner responded to the Kingsport Police Department and turned himself over detectives. Gardner was subsequently arrested and charged with 1st Degree Murder and booked into the Kingsport City Jail.

Anyone who may have any additional information about this case is asked to contact the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division at 423-229-9429 or call Kingsport Central Dispatch at 423-246-9111.

Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

http://police.KingsportTN.gov/Citizen_Feedback

As of yet there doesn’t appear to be a memorial fund set up yet for Rocky and his family.

UPDATE – Click here for more photos and videos of Rocky as well as his newborn daughter. Plus, police share updates on their investigation.