Suvechha Sarkar
Stacey M. Kananen was a beloved daughter and a dutiful sister who lived in Orlando, Florida. However, her life took a dark turn when she became entangled in a family tragedy. Fortunately, she had someone who stood by her side through every hurdle until she saw the silver lining. Inspired by the memoir by Stacey and Lisa Bonnice, Lifetime’s ‘Monster in the Family: The Stacey Kananen Story’ delves into the emotional turmoil the real-life counterpart of the titular character experienced. It recounts some of the events that tied her to her parents’ murder until she was proven not guilty. It also provides a glimpse into how her partner continued to root for her even in the darkest of times.
Stacey Kananen Endured Years of Turmoil Before Her Acquittal
On September 10, 2003, Stacey M. Kananen’s life turned upside down when her mother, Marilyn Theresa Kananen, suddenly went missing. She and her siblings, Cheryl Bracken and Richard Kananen Jr., became terrified that their allegedly abusive father, Richard Alfred Kananen Sr., who had gone missing 15 years ago on September 10, 1988, might have done something to their mother. During the investigation, detectives testified that her brother had been transferring money from their mother’s accounts to his own. Furthermore, they linked several checks from Marilyn’s account to a business Stacey and Richard Jr. had started together.
Stacey claimed in the book that after she and Richard Jr. were questioned, he allegedly confessed to her about killing Marilyn and Richard Sr. According to her, she learned that Richard Jr. had killed their father on September 10, 1988, and buried his remains underneath Marilyn’s garage. Moreover, she alleged in the book that he admitted to killing their mother and burying her remains in the backyard of Stacey’s home, which she owned with her partner, Susan Cowan. Stacey stated that when she became nervous about getting Susan into trouble, she tried to take her own life with her brother in December 2003. However, they were rescued, and on December 23, Richard Jr. was arrested for the murder of Marilyn.
In May 2007, Richard Jr. pleaded no contest to second-degree murder for Marilyn’s death and to manslaughter related to Richard Sr.’s case. He was sentenced to a 30-year term and a 15-year term for the charges, respectively. However, he later testified against Stacey after entering his plea agreement. Richard Jr. claimed that she killed their father and even planned the murder of their mother. The jury trial of Stacey began in early March 2010, and she was found not guilty of first-degree murder of Marilyn on March 12. From her arrest to the day she walked away a free woman, Stacey had one person who never doubted her. It was none other than her partner, Susan Cowan, with whom she owned her home in Orlando, Florida, where her mother’s remains were discovered.
Stacey and Susan Lead a Happy Married Life With Occasional Day Outs
Since getting a new lease on life, Stacey began writing her own blog to share her experiences. In July 2013, she opened up about how she met Susan. She wrote that before meeting Susan, she had never considered being in a relationship with a woman. However, things changed when they met in 1988 and soon became best friends. It wasn’t long before they found themselves falling in love with one another. Talking on the matter, she wrote, “I chose to be in a romantic relationship with another woman because of the sexual abuse inflicted upon me by my father, and that I’m perfectly comfortable with that choice.” For Stacey, her relationship with Susan has always provided a sense of safety and happiness.
Ultimately, after almost 30 years of togetherness, Stacey and Susan exchanged their vows in November 2015, in the presence of their loved ones. Since then, they have built a beautiful life in Largo, Florida. As of writing, the couple has chosen to embrace every little moment of joy in their lives. They are grateful for their bond and do not take the time they spend together for granted. From celebrating holidays to going on romantic dates, Stacey and Susan are basking in each other’s love even after nearly four decades of first crossing paths with each other. They have built their own family with their beloved furry kittens, Oreo and Minnie. In March 2025, they sought respite from their daily lives by the beach and immersed themselves in the sounds of the crashing waves. Four months later, Stacey and Susan attended the Largo Cultural Center and enjoyed a lively night at The Evolution of Drag event.
By August, Stacey and Susan let themselves be soaked in the joyful atmosphere of Magic Kingdom Park. However, they had grown concerned when their kitten, Oreo, went missing. Fortunately, the latter shared in the same month that Oreo had found her way back home. Their following month was marked by the celebration of Labor Day and their memorable day out to the EPCOT Theme Park. From time to time, Stacey and Susan go out to try out food from different restaurants. Aside from that, the pair also maintains a very close bond with their friends and often spends valuable time with them. Together, they actively support LGBTQ+ rights and express their pride whenever possible. It is quite evident that Stacey and Susan have not let past hurdles hold them back from healing and leading fulfilling lives.
Read More: Richard “Rickie” Kananen: Where is Stacey Kananen’s Brother Now?
