Stevie Blackthorne, one of Sheila Bellush’s daughters, endured the unimaginable trauma of discovering her mother’s lifeless body in their Sarasota, Florida home in 1997. At the tender age of 13, Stevie was thrust into the role of caretaker for her quadruplet siblings, all while grappling with the harrowing aftermath of her mother’s murder. The perpetrator of this heinous crime was revealed to be none other than her own father, Allen Blackthorne, who orchestrated the murder.
In the years following this tragic event, Stevie Blackthorne has sought solace and strength, striving to overcome the profound impact of her mother’s untimely death. While details about her life post-tragedy remain scarce, Stevie has endeavored to rebuild her life and find a sense of normalcy amidst the lingering pain and loss. Her journey toward healing is a testament to her resilience and courage in the face of adversity.
A Difficult Childhood
Stevie, born in 1984 to Sheila and Allen Blackthorne, experienced a tumultuous upbringing marked by her parents’ troubled marriage. Following their divorce in 1987 due to Allen’s abusive behavior, Sheila remarried Jamie Bellush in 1993. Together, they had quadruplets: Frankie, Timmy, Joey, and Courtney. Jamie legally adopted Stevie and her sister Daryl, and the family relocated to Florida to escape Allen’s harassment.
Despite their efforts to start anew, Allen remained fixated on Sheila and their children. He orchestrated a heinous plot to have Sheila killed, hiring individuals to carry out the act. On November 7, 1997, one of these hired men, Jose Del Toro, entered their home and fatally shot Sheila, leaving her to die in front of the young quadruplets.
It was Stevie who made the horrifying discovery upon returning home from school. Despite the traumatic scene, she showed remarkable courage, immediately calling 911 and providing comfort to her siblings, who were found covered in blood and wearing life vests that Sheila had put on them as a precaution against drowning in the pool. Stevie’s resilience and maturity in the face of such tragedy were truly extraordinary.
A Long Road to Justice
The authorities quickly identified Allen as the primary suspect in Sheila’s murder, although he vehemently denied any involvement, insisting he loved his children and desired to see them. However, Stevie and Daryl harbored deep animosity towards him, refusing to acknowledge him as their father. In court, they bravely testified against him, painting a vivid picture of him as a monstrous figure who had shattered their lives.
The pursuit of justice spanned several years as authorities worked to apprehend and convict all those complicit in the murder conspiracy. Del Toro, the gunman, initially fled to Mexico but was later extradited to the US in 1999. He ultimately pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and armed burglary charges in 2000, receiving consecutive life sentences. Similarly, Daniel Rocha, the orchestrator of the hit, and Samuel Gonzales, who facilitated the connection between Rocha and Del Toro, were both sentenced to significant prison terms for their roles in the crime.
Allen’s arrest finally occurred in January 2000 following a grand jury indictment for murder-for-hire. During his trial in October of the same year, overwhelming evidence was presented, including incriminating phone records, financial transactions, witness testimonies, and a recorded conversation between Allen and Rocha detailing the murder scheme. Consequently, he was found guilty on charges of murder-for-hire and interstate domestic violence, receiving a life sentence without parole.
While Stevie and Daryl found solace in the fact that justice had been served for their mother, they grappled with the profound sadness of realizing their father’s capacity for such heinous acts. They expressed a longing for a father who could have been a source of love and support rather than perpetrating such unfathomable violence.
A New Beginning
Following their mother’s tragic death, Stevie and Daryl found refuge with their stepfather Jamie and their four half-siblings, relocating to Texas in an effort to heal and reconstruct their shattered lives. Surrounded by the unwavering support of family and friends, they embarked on a journey of recovery, receiving counseling and engaging in a myriad of activities spanning sports, music, art, and community service.
In 2002, Stevie achieved a significant milestone by graduating from high school before pursuing higher education. Opting to study psychology and sociology, she harbored a profound desire to extend aid to individuals grappling with experiences of abuse and violence. Concurrently, she embraced the joys of motherhood, welcoming a daughter into the world whom she lovingly named Sheila Rose, paying homage to her late mother.
Since the conclusion of the trial, Stevie has maintained a deliberate retreat from the public eye, preserving her privacy and opting not to publicly address her mother’s murder. She refrains from sharing personal photographs or details online and steers clear of documentaries and literature pertaining to the case.
While the ache of her mother’s absence persists, Stevie holds onto cherished memories, attributing her strength, empathy, and resilience to her mother’s teachings. With an unwavering resolve to honor her mother’s legacy, Stevie endeavors to lead a fulfilling and purposeful life. She harbors love for her mother and extends forgiveness to her father, expressing immense pride in herself and her siblings for surmounting adversity and discovering joy. Embracing her identity as Stevie Blackthorne, she asserts that her past does not define her.
