Stacey Arthur was a former Playboy model and Mrs. Ohio who had a tragic life and death. She was born as Stacy Leigh Darland in Naperville, Illinois on June 4, 1968. She was chosen as Playboy’s Playmate of the Month for January, 1991. She also appeared on the cover of that issue, wearing a pageant-style banner that said “Miss January 1991” [according to Wikipedia].
A Murder-Suicide That Shattered Her World
Stacey Arthur was married to James Alan Arthur, a businessman and father of three children from a previous marriage. They had a happy and prosperous life in Bellefontaine, Ohio, where they owned a car dealership and a restaurant. Stacey Arthur also had a son from a prior relationship.
However, their life turned upside down on October 29, 1991, when James Arthur was shot and killed by a fan named James Lindberg on a street in Bellefontaine. Lindberg, who was obsessed with Stacey Arthur, had stalked her for months and sent her threatening letters. He also blamed James Arthur for ruining his life and preventing him from being with Stacey Arthur. After killing James Arthur, Lindberg shot himself in the head [according to Associated Press].
The murder-suicide shocked the community and left Stacey Arthur devastated and traumatized. She had to raise four children on her own and cope with the loss of her husband. She also had to deal with the media attention and the public scrutiny that followed the incident.
A Rape Allegation That Ruined Her Career
Stacey Arthur’s ordeal did not end there. She also claimed that she was raped and sodomized by three Playboy employees at the Playboy Mansion on October 6, 1991, just three weeks before her husband’s death. She said that two security guards and a butler drugged her, then raped and sodomized her in a guest room. She also said that she reported the incident to Playboy, but they did nothing to help her or punish the perpetrators [according to United Press International].
Stacey Arthur filed a $70 million lawsuit against Playboy and others in 1992, alleging that the rape caused her severe emotional distress and that the magazine’s inaction led to her husband’s death. She also appeared on two nationally televised shows, where she publicly declared her rape at the Playboy Mansion.
However, Playboy denied her allegations and severed its ties with her. They said that the sex was consensual and that there were too many inconsistencies in her statements. They also said that they fired the employees who had sex with her because they violated the company policy by having sex during working hours. The deputy district attorney also said that there was not enough evidence to prosecute the case [according to United Press International].
Stacey Arthur’s lawsuit was dismissed by a judge in 1994, who ruled that she had no legal standing to sue Playboy. She also lost her credibility and reputation as a model and a person. She became a pariah in the industry and the society.
A Mysterious Illness That Took Her Life
Stacey Arthur died on April 5, 2019, at the age of 50, after a short battle with an undisclosed illness. She had changed her name several times after her husband’s death and had moved to different places. She had also remarried twice and divorced twice. She had a total of six children and several grandchildren.
Stacey Arthur’s death was announced by her family on social media, where they posted a tribute to her. They said that she was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. They also said that she was a strong and courageous woman who had overcome many challenges in her life. They asked for privacy and respect during their time of grief [according to Find a Grave].
Stacey Arthur’s life and death were also featured on the first episode of the first season of “The Playboy Murders” titled “All That Glitters” that aired on January 30, 2023. The show explored the dark side of fame and fortune and the crimes that were linked to Playboy [according to Investigation Discovery].
Stacey Arthur was a beautiful and talented woman who had a promising future. However, she also had a tragic and turbulent life that was marred by violence, trauma, and scandal. She was a victim of obsession, jealousy, and betrayal. She was a survivor of rape, grief, and pain. She was a Playboy model, a Mrs. Ohio, and a mother of six. She was Stacey Arthur.
ncG1vNJzZmibkaeypr7GnpirZpiau7CyjZympmeemsS0e9KtpquxX6jBoq%2FEsmSaqqSdwrN5zpugra2Rp8ZuwMeeZK2qkZy2pHnLop2eZZGjsW6wxJqroWWfm3qiecWoqaadomK9ra3Ym6ayZZ2ksaa4jg%3D%3D