A new article on the Shane Stewart and Sally McNally murder case

[Kane]

A few days ago, there was an article about the 1988 murders of Shane Stewart and Sally McNally. Although there hasn't been any new developments lately, the investigators have not given up on the case.

As mentioned in the article, Shane's father, Marshall Stewart, attended counseling sessions at a few support groups in the years following Shane's death. But he still copes with the grief (and even guilt) over his son's death, as well as the burden of not knowing who killed his son.

http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2010/may/23/unsolved-murder-haunts-father-investigators/

[kadrmas15]

The one thing, well there was more than one, but the big one that stuck out at me about this segment. The parents, both Shane's dad and Sally's mom both did very good jobs acting in the segment. I say that because to me, you could tell it was more than heartfelt, might sound corny but they were in essence putting their grief on display for all of us. It was very sad and very touching to see that.

This has always been a case that stood out to me and that I have wanted to see solved. I do agree with Marshall Stewart that the person or persons that did this probably are still in the San Angelo area and certainly were from there originally or had lived in the area for a substantial period of time. They were very familiar with the area.

[Kane]

The one thing, well there was more than one, but the big one that stuck out at me about this segment. The parents, both Shane's dad and Sally's mom both did very good jobs acting in the segment. I say that because to me, you could tell it was more than heartfelt, might sound corny but they were in essence putting their grief on display for all of us. It was very sad and very touching to see that.

This has always been a case that stood out to me and that I have wanted to see solved. I do agree with Marshall Stewart that the person or persons that did this probably are still in the San Angelo area and certainly were from there originally or had lived in the area for a substantial period of time. They were very familiar with the area.

I too think the murder victims' parents did well in the segment. But whenever I heard Marshall Stewart speak, I kept thinking of Emilio Estevez because he sounded like him.

Anyway, as for Pat Wade, although I have no doubt that she loved her daughter Sally, there was an acknowledgement of some issues between them. As you'll recall from the segment, a friend of Sally's claimed that Sally always called her own mother "Pat", instead of "Mom" or "Mother", adding that Sally was resentful about her father's absence and blamed it on Pat.

Those remarks have always stood out in my mind and, needless to say, the fact that her father wasn't around was very difficult for Sally. Evidently, being devoid of her father was something she never recovered from. :(

[kadrmas15]

You know Kane, comparing Marshall Stewart's voice to Emilo Estevez's voice is one I had never thought of before. However Estevez does have a similar sounding voice. But another thing that struck me was not only Marshall Stewart and Pat Wade's acting which they did a very good job of taking their real anguish and putting out in front of us, which, I will say, it was like they were presenting their lives on TV, it was just the real deal and I remember watching that segment and being literally speechless. Again that might sound corny but it is just, it was/is obvious they were very genuine in their performances.

But yes the other big one was, yes, there were issues that were obvious between Pat Wade and Sally. It is sad and tragic to say the least they were not able to rectify the issues before Sally was murdered. Yes from the sounds of it, Sally and her dad were close before her parents divorced and she (Sally) blamed her mom for the fact that her dad was no longer around in her life.

[crystaldawn]

Marshall Stewart was one of those people on UM I immediately liked. He had a pleasant, very down to earth quality and it was obvious he truly loved his son. Its too bad no one has ever been arrested for the crime because I have a feeling its one of those stories (like Jennifer Pratt) where several people know who's responsible but don't want to come forward.

[youngUMfan]

Can someone tell me about this case? I don't believe I have ever seen it. Is it available on a certain website?

[soilentgreen]

This was on Topix. Post # 14 talks alleges that Sally McNelly's driver's license was found in the possession of two guys that were acquainted with her (possibly the evidence that Marshall Stewart mentions in the article?) Pretty awful to have individuals linked to the victims without any legal way to prove it.

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/san-angelo-tx/THE1LN5QAVPVNUP32

I never put stock in the cult angle that was emphasized on the segment. This seemed like a killing over drugs/criminal activities. Stewart and McNelly had also notified the police of a gun that may have been used in a crime.

[Kane]

But yes the other big one was, yes, there were issues that were obvious between Pat Wade and Sally. It is sad and tragic to say the least they were not able to rectify the issues before Sally was murdered. Yes from the sounds of it, Sally and her dad were close before her parents divorced and she (Sally) blamed her mom for the fact that her dad was no longer around in her life.

I agree. Losing a child is horrible, but the fact that Sally died while her personal issues with Pat were unresolved must have added to Pat's anguish. It seemed to me that if Pat did in fact do something to bring about the split, it certainly caused Sally enough grief to harbor ill feelings toward her.

Of course, I am not trying to find fault with Pat or anyone else (after all, I wasn't there so I don't have all the details on how it happened and what happened). However, when parents split up, it is common for their kids to accuse one or both of them of making it happen. :(

[Zlatko]

This was on Topix. Post # 14 talks alleges that Sally McNelly's driver's license was found in the possession of two guys that were acquainted with her (possibly the evidence that Marshall Stewart mentions in the article?) Pretty awful to have individuals linked to the victims without any legal way to prove it.

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/san-angelo-tx/THE1LN5QAVPVNUP32

I never put stock in the cult angle that was emphasized on the segment. This seemed like a killing over drugs/criminal activities. Stewart and McNelly had also notified the police of a gun that may have been used in a crime.Yes, the whole satanic cult aspect was overblown in this case. It's very possible that Shane and Sally were involved in some sort of criminal activity though. It'd be interesting to see if there are any other details about the group Sally and Shane were involved with.

This seems to be one of those cases in which the suspects are well known in the town, yet no one wants to talk for fear of reprisal.