A Trail of Alleged Deceptions Unravels (Image Credits: Pixabay)
Gastonia, N.C. – Joshua Hunsucker, a former paramedic facing first-degree murder charges in the 2018 death of his wife, has asked a judge to relocate his upcoming trial outside Gaston County. His defense team argues that years of intense media coverage have tainted the local jury pool, making a fair trial impossible in the area.[1][2] The renewed motion comes amid a superseding indictment and growing national attention to the case, which also involves allegations of arson, a faked kidnapping, and attempts to poison his daughter.
A Trail of Alleged Deceptions Unravels
Prosecutors accuse Hunsucker, 41, of poisoning his wife, Stacy Robinson Hunsucker, 32, with tetrahydrozoline from over-the-counter eyedrops. She died on September 23, 2018, after he allegedly added the substance to her drinks over several weeks to collect life insurance money.[3] Hunsucker initially faced insurance fraud charges after her death but was indicted on murder in March 2026.[4]
The case expanded dramatically in 2024. Authorities charged Hunsucker with setting fire to a medical helicopter while aboard it, an act they described as an attempt to divert attention from the murder investigation. He also allegedly staged his own kidnapping and assault, claiming Stacy’s father attacked him near a highway.[5] Further allegations include witness intimidation through stalking the victim’s parents and trying to poison his young daughter with eyedrops to implicate them.
Charges and Court History
Hunsucker pleaded not guilty to all charges during an April 2026 court appearance. The full list of accusations paints a picture of calculated schemes:
- First-degree murder in Stacy Hunsucker’s death
- Insurance fraud
- Obtaining property by false pretenses
- Arson on the medical helicopter
- Faking a kidnapping and assault
- Witness intimidation
- Attempted poisoning of his daughter
Arrested in 2019 on initial fraud charges, Hunsucker posted bond and was released. A 2021 request to change the trial venue from Gaston County failed. Rearrested in August 2024 on the additional charges, a judge revoked his bond, and he remains in Gaston County Jail.[6]
Defense Cites Media Saturation in Venue Plea
Hunsucker’s attorneys filed the latest motion on April 6, 2026, pointing to “continuous, inflammatory, and deeply prejudicial” coverage spanning over six years.[1] They highlighted a recent People magazine exclusive, podcasts, social media, and local TV reports from outlets like WCNC, WSOC, and WBTV. Public Facebook videos have dubbed him the “Eye Drop Killer,” a nickname the defense says presumes guilt…