Mother testifies at Columbus trial of man accused of murdering her daughter
The mother of a Columbus woman found dead in an Alabama creek 10 years ago testified Wednesday during the trial of a suspect facing charges of kidnapping, rape and murder in connection with her daughter’s death.
Stacey Gray, 55, is on trial in the death of 25-year-old Renee Eldridge, whose body was found July 7, 2015, in Osanippa Creek in Chambers County, Alabama.
Eldridge’s mother, Nancy Gray, who isn’t related by family to the defendant, testified that she and Stacey Gray had a romantic relationship and they met through some friends.
2014 alleged rape of Renee Eldridge
Nancy Gray said Stacey Gray had a key to the house she shared with Eldridge, but after Eldridge was allegedly raped in 2014, the locks for the house were changed and Stacey Gray didn’t have a key to the house.
Nancy Gray testified that she learned about Eldridge’s alleged 2014 rape the next morning, when she talked to Eldridge who was at the hospital. Eldridge told her mother that, after the alleged sexual assault, the attacker pulled her to the end of the bed and douched her out, according to Nancy Gray’s testimony.
Nancy Gray testified she kept douches in the house. She answered, “Yes,” when Assistant District Attorney Anthony Pickett asked whether she recalled any missing after the incident.
Nancy Gray said Eldridge thought a man other than the defendant was responsible for her attack. When Pickett asked how many men would know she kept douches in the house, she responded, “Stacey.”
Eldridge didn’t sleep in the bedroom after the alleged rape and instead slept on the couch, according to Nancy Gray’s testimony. Nancy Gray said Eldridge’s grandfather bought Eldridge a gun after the incident.
Nancy Gray’s testimony about disappearance of Renee Eldridge
Nancy Gray said a window was kept open in the dining room because the walls would sweat.
Nancy Gray testified that, the night before Eldridge went missing, she and Eldridge went out with a group of people and went to someone’s house, then a strip club and a bar.
Nancy Gray testified she saw Stacey Gray at the bar that night.
Nancy Gray didn’t return to the home she shared with her daughter that night and returned the following morning, according to her testimony.
Nancy Gray testified Stacey Gray knew she wouldn’t be returning home that night.
She testified Stacey Gray had called her when she was heading home and asked about Eldridge.
When Nancy Gray returned home she noticed the window in the carport was closed and the screen was off, according to her testimony.
She also saw Eldridge’s dog still in its cage, which was unusual because Eldridge typically let the dog out when she returned home, according to Nancy Gray.
Nancy Gray said she called her daughter but her daughter’s phone was in the couch along with her keys.
When Nancy Gray went into Eldridge’s room, she saw signs of a struggle and a broken mirror, according to her testimony.
After speaking with law enforcement, Nancy Gray said Stacey Gray called her several times, asking whether she had heard from Eldridge.
During cross-examination from Southwest Georgia Regional Public Defender Angela Dillon, Nancy Gray confirmed Eldridge thought the person who allegedly raped her in 2014 wasn’t Stacey Gray.
This story was originally published November 19, 2025 at 3:27 PM.