On April 7, 2013, the peaceful town of Kannapolis, North Carolina, was rocked by a devastating tragedy. The local police were called to perform a welfare check on Christi Stewart’s home after her mother, Brenda, was unable to reach her daughter and noticed the disarray of the house through the window. What they discovered inside was both heartbreaking and horrific: Christi’s young son, Mark Stewart, had been murdered, and Christi herself was severely injured.
The Crime
Mark Stewart, only 10 years old, had been brutally killed. Christi Stewart, his 32-year-old mother, was found alive but gravely injured. She had been assaulted by her boyfriend, Eugene W. Mays, who was 39 at the time. Mays had been dating Christi for about six months before the attack. Christi’s injuries were severe—her throat was slit from ear to ear, and she suffered multiple cuts and beatings, including the loss of a tooth. The extent of her injuries caused her to experience several mini-strokes, leaving her with little memory of the attack and her hospital stay.
The Investigation and Court Proceedings
The police quickly identified Eugene Mays as the primary suspect. He was arrested on April 9, 2013, near Gastonia, about an hour from Kannapolis. During his first court appearance, Mays waived his right to a court-appointed lawyer and asked to be sentenced immediately. The judge, however, took a brief recess to appoint legal representation, scheduling the next court date for April 30.
In November 2013, Mays pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The details of Mark’s death were revealed to be shockingly brutal: he had suffered 63 injuries, including 11 stab wounds, 25 cutting wounds, and 27 blunt force trauma injuries. It was widely believed that Mark had tried to protect his mother during the violent dispute, which ultimately cost him his life.
Mark Stewart: A Cherished Young Life
Mark Stewart was a fifth-grader at Royal Oaks Elementary School, where he was known for his bright smile and caring nature. He had dreams of playing football for the Carolina Bears, a youth football program, and aspired to become a police officer to “catch the bad guys.” Mark was involved in the Tall Tines Hunting Club and enjoyed fishing with his grandfather, Guy, who fondly remembered Mark’s enthusiasm for the sport.
Teachers and friends described Mark as an outgoing and affectionate student. He was known for his willingness to give hugs, even if it meant getting into trouble. His academic excellence was evident through his straight A’s and participation in the Math Superstars program, which helped students apply math to everyday situations.
Mark’s obituary and memorials paint a picture of a beloved young boy whose kindness and compassion touched many lives. His friend Spencer Bare shared that Mark would always be remembered as his best friend, and community members like Chris G’s Mom and Brenda McMath expressed deep sorrow at his loss, highlighting Mark’s positive influence and gentle nature.
A Community’s Tribute
A year after Mark’s death, the community held a special memorial at his gravesite. This memorial was particularly poignant for Christi, who had been unable to attend Mark’s funeral due to her injuries. During the memorial, balloons were released in Mark’s honor—some camo balloons to represent his love for hunting, and pink balloons because it was his favorite color. Tags attached to the balloons invited finders to reach out to Mark’s family.
Mark Stewart’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the impact of violence and the profound loss experienced by families and communities. His legacy lives on through the kindness and compassion he showed in his short life, and through the Mark-Ethan Stewart Kindness and Compassion Award created by his school.
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