Gerald Lee Powers was a convicted murderer whose case garnered attention for nearly three decades. He was born on September 22, 1954, and died on April 12, 2025, at the age of 70. Powers was sentenced to death for the 1996 murder of Shannon Sanderson, a 25-year-old woman who was kidnapped, robbed, and shot after winning $5,000 at Sam’s Town Casino in Tunica, Mississippi.

Summary of the Case:

• Crime Details:
  On April 18-19, 1996, Sanderson played blackjack, won $5,000, and was last seen leaving the casino alone. Surveillance footage showed Powers following her after she left the casino. Her body was discovered in an abandoned house in Mississippi, with a gunshot wound being the cause of death.
• Investigation and Arrest:
  Powers was identified through CCTV footage and physical evidence, including his vehicle. He was found in Texas after a suspicious maneuver caught the attention of border patrol officers. Powers attempted to fight back with a knife but was ultimately arrested. His wife, Sharon Powers, testified against him, revealing