Suvechha Sarkar
The quiet community of New Haven, Indiana, was shaken by the tragic death of 40-year-old Kevin Ray Davis in August 2023. The case initially appeared to be a terrible accident, but quickly turned into a mystery filled with conflicting accounts, emotional turmoil, and a search for answers. CBS’ ’48 Hours: A Death in the Stairwell’ takes a closer look at the circumstances surrounding his untimely demise and how it was ruled a homicide. It also features the 911 call, exclusive police bodycam footage, and interviews with officials and medical experts delving deeper into the incident.
Kevin Davis Died Hours After He Was Found Critically Wounded at the Bottom of His Stairs
On July 1, 1983, Kevin Ray Davis arrived as a ray of sunshine in the lives of his parents. While growing up, he always received immense love and support from his parents and was quite close to his brother. Apart from that, Kevin fostered an incredible bond with his aunt, Clara Sanchez. He was a helpful soul who always stepped forward whenever he saw someone in need. In adulthood, Kevin met Alison K. and they soon got closer to one another. Ultimately, they tied the knot and settled down at 1728 Douglas Lane in New Haven, Indiana. Kevin built a happy life for himself, surrounded by a close-knit group of people who adored him and treasured his company. However, everything changed in an instant on August 12, 2023.
At around 4:30 am, Alison called 911 to report that Kevin had fallen down the stairs. In the call, she stated there was blood everywhere and that he was not responding, according to police records. When officials arrived, they found Alison standing at the curb, and she reportedly led them inside the house. They found Kevin lying in a pool of blood at the bottom of the stairs in front of the front door. Kevin was still alive but in a critical condition, so he was rushed to Parkview Regional Medical Center. Back at the residence, detectives took a closer look and discovered blood on the railing of the staircase. They also observed blood spatter on the wall, which reached relatively high up.
Furthermore, investigators noted that there was no visible damage to the front door or the wall before the stairs. Unfortunately, Kevin succumbed to his injuries around 01:07 pm on the same day. The autopsy report deduced that his head injury was not consistent with a fall, indicating that the right side of his skull was crushed. According to the coroner’s report, Kevin was likely rendered brain-dead as soon as he received a blow to the head, which was believed to have been caused by a blunt force object. It was also reported that he seemingly collapsed right where the impact occurred. Two months later, the Allen County Coroner ruled Kevin’s death a homicide.
Alison K. Was Found Not Guilty Almost Two Years After Kevin Davis’ Death
When detectives first arrived, Alison claimed Kevin was upstairs, and she was sleeping on the couch downstairs. In her statement to police, she continued that she woke up upon hearing a loud “thud” and found him lying at the bottom of the stairs. She claimed she attempted to lift him but in vain, so she quickly called 911. Upon further questioning, Alison told the police that she and Kevin had gone out drinking at a local tavern, and they allegedly came back separately around 1 am. She claimed that they had a few more beers before getting into an argument. Alison alleged that when she found Kevin lying facedown, “I honestly thought he was just drunk and fell down the stairs.”
Additionally, Alison claimed that she and Kevin were the only ones present at the home during that time, except for their dog. When officials spoke to his mother, she asserted that Alison had told her that Kevin wasn’t drinking that night. She stated that in the hospital, Alison allegedly told her multiple times that she and Kevin were sleeping in their bedroom and he had woken up to drink some water. Kevin’s mother continued that Alison then allegedly heard the loud sound and went to check, where she discovered him. Similarly, his brother, who was reportedly in another state at the time, claimed that Alison presented a similar account before him, stating that she was allegedly lying in bed with their dog when she heard the sound.
Ultimately, Alison was arrested and charged with one count of murder in December 2023. After some delays, the jury trial of Alison began on May 6, 2025. During the trial, the prosecutors argued that her statements were inconsistent with his injuries and she had the opportunity, while the defense contended that the crime scene was “corrupted” and there was no murder weapon. The trial continued for four days, and after a deliberation of over six hours, the jury found Alison not guilty of the crime and acquitted her on May 9, 2025.
