When Stacy Hunsucker died, it was initially believed the mother of two had suffered a heart attack.

She had a history of heart issues and used a pacemaker after being hospitalized following the birth of her second daughter. Just two days after her death, her husband, Joshua Hunsucker, began the process of filing for Stacy’s life insurance benefits and started a relationship with a co-worker less than a month after the funeral.

Within six months, his new girlfriend moved into the family home. Stacy Hunsucker’s mother found the situation highly suspicious, as did the North Carolina Department of Insurance, which had paid out the life insurance.

Joshua Hunsucker refused an autopsy for his wife, telling doctors he couldn’t bear the thought of her being cut open, and had Stacy’s body cremated. The NCDI later discovered that Stacy was an organ donor and that a vial of her blood had been stored.

Tests on the blood revealed Stacy had a lethal amount of tetrahydrozoline, the active ingredient in eye drops, in her bloodstream at the time of her death. Once this was determined, the findings were turned over to the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office. Fifteen months after Stacy Hunsucker’s death, Joshua Hunsucker was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

While out on bail, Joshua Hunsucker rushed his 10-year-old daughter to the hospital with alarming symptoms, including low blood pressure, a low heart rate, extreme exhaustion, and constricted blood vessels. Doctors at CaroMont Regional Medical Center were stumped, and the girl was transferred to Levine Children’s Hospital.

There, a urine test revealed she had a large amount of THZ, the same drug that killed her mother, in her system. The tests also found traces of an antidepressant found in Joshua Hunsucker’s car.

Joshua Hunsucker has now been arrested on eight new felony charges: four counts each of witness intimidation and obstruction of justice.

Joining Nancy Grace today:

Additional Guest

• Derek Dellinger – Anchor / Reporter at Queen City News; IG & X: @derekdlnger

“Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” is also a national radio show heard on SiriusXM channel 111 airing for two hours daily starting at 12 p.m. EST. You can also subscribe and download the daily podcasts at iHeart Podcasts.

[Feature Photo: Joshua Hunsucker/Gaston County Sheriff’s Office and Stacy Hunsucker/Obituary Photo]