MTSU Professor Found Fatally Shot Near Home; Her Loaded, Cocked Gun Found Beside Her

Ashleigh E. McKinzie, a 41-year-old associate professor in the Sociology and Anthropology Department at Middle Tennessee State University, was found fatally shot on Smithville Highway in DeKalb County, Tenn., authorities said.

The shooting was reported in the early hours of Dec. 4. Deputies discovered McKinzie with multiple apparent gunshot wounds and located her handgun — described by investigators as loaded and cocked — near her body, 13th Judicial District Attorney Bryant C. Dunaway said.

A 27-year-old man identified by the district attorney as Todd Stanton was at the scene when deputies arrived. Prosecutors said Stanton had his handgun placed on the hood of his vehicle and that he has been cooperative with investigators. Authorities have not described Stanton’s relationship to McKinzie or to the incident, and no one has been charged.

Investigation Underway

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office are leading the probe, and investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding McKinzie’s death. Officials have not released additional details about a possible motive.

Academic Career and Research

McKinzie held a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia and served as an associate professor at Middle Tennessee State University. Her academic work included research on family violence; colleagues and students said she studied victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse and taught a course titled "Violence in the Family."

“She had done a lot of studies into it — victims of sexual assault, victims of domestic abuse,” student Olivia Kilpatrick told local outlet WZTV.

Authorities have asked anyone with information about the case to contact the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office or the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. As the investigation continues, officials warned against speculation and emphasized that no charges have been filed.

Note: This report is based on statements from local prosecutors and law enforcement. Additional details may emerge as investigators release more information.