Stephen Merritt Pope, 37, was found dead at the Spanish Trail apartment he shared with his partner on August 13, 2026. Deputies say he suffered a shotgun wound to the back of his head and appeared to have been dead for a significant period before anyone called 911. Investigators concluded he was shot while lying in bed.

The investigation focused on Pope’s partner and roommate, 31-year-old Will Victor Bryant. Deputies say Bryant arrived at Pope’s parents’ home earlier that morning in an extremely distressed state, crying and incoherent. Pope’s father followed Bryant back to the apartment, where he was let in and discovered his son’s body before calling 911. Authorities reported finding a 12-gauge shotgun partially concealed in Bryant’s vehicle, ammunition, firearm parts and a receipt showing the gun was purchased June 29, 2026; preliminary testing linked that shotgun and ammunition to the scene. A substance on Bryant’s shorts and blood on clothing he wore at arrest reportedly tested positive for human blood.

Bryant was arrested August 13 and charged with second-degree murder; he pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bond at a detention hearing on August 18. Pope’s obituary described him as thoughtful, intelligent and hardworking and noted survivors in his extended family. Does anyone have information about Pope’s last days or the couple’s relationship that could help clarify what happened?