Stephen Wiggins was a devoted father, son, brother, and friend who was deeply loved by those around him. He enjoyed working out at his local gym, riding bikes, and creating things with his hands. A hardworking and dependable man, Stephen consistently showed up for his family and friends.
His faith in Christ and his ability to adapt and rebuild through life’s challenges were both admirable and lasting parts of who he was. He took pride in his rental property on Jacksonville’s west side, often redecorating it simply for the joy of making it his own.
Raised in Rhode Island under difficult and chaotic circumstances, Stephen worked hard to build a better life for himself. And he did, until everything changed.
On October 6, 2008, Stephen Wiggins left Mattie’s Landing on Lake Shore Boulevard and never made it home.
He was found shot multiple times and left on the side of the road at the corner of Vista and Colonial avenues in the Lake Shore area of Jacksonville. His car sat nearby, still running, the driver’s door open, and his wallet was not stolen, leaving his family to piece together what may have happened in his final moments.
Nearly 18 years after his murder, Stephen Wiggins’ case remains unsolved. Despite renewed investigative efforts over the years, many questions remain unanswered. And now, with no detective on the case, it feels hopeless for the family as time goes on. His family lives with the unknown every day.
Detectives initially identified new leads 10 years after the case had gone cold, including a potential witness who had never previously spoken to law enforcement. For a brief time, the case showed promise. But the momentum faded, and the investigation was ultimately re-suspended, a term used when no further leads are available.
Still, one truth remains: someone knows more than they have shared.
For the family, the reopening of the case brought both validation and disappointment. While it confirmed that Stephen’s case had not been forgotten, it also underscored how much remains unresolved.
Stephen’s loss has left a space in his family that can never be filled. In the many years since his death, his absence has been felt in both quiet, everyday moments and life’s biggest milestones, continuing to shape the course of their lives. His family has had to learn how to move forward without his presence, while still carrying the love, memories, and impact he left behind. Time has not healed the grief; it has simply changed how it is felt, reappearing in new ways as life continues. Yet even in that, they remain determined and hopeful.
Someone knows what happened to Stephen Wiggins, and it’s time to come forward.
If you have information about the murder of Stephen Wiggins, call JSO Homicide at 904-630-2172. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward, call First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477).
Read the complete June 2026 edition of the Victims’ Advocate (PDF)