Local News
Second Victim of Deadly Explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems in Tennessee ID’d as Melissa Dawn Stanford
TENNESSEE — Authorities have identified Melissa Dawn Stanford as the second confirmed victim still listed among those missing following the catastrophic explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems (AES) in Middle Tennessee.
The powerful blast—described by investigators as a “mass detonation”—completely destroyed a building at the explosives manufacturing facility, leaving nineteen people dead or unaccounted for.
In a social media post, Jessica Manners, Stanford’s sister-in-law, shared her anguish and called for prayers for the affected families.
“I left AES this afternoon absolutely devastated. Please pray for all these families,” Manners wrote. “My sister-in-law, Melissa Dawn Stanford, is one of the people missing. I tried to comfort as many families as I could. Praying hard for them all.”
The explosion occurred around 7:45 a.m. CDT on Friday at the AES complex, located along the Hickman and Humphreys County line—approximately one hour southwest of Nashville.
The facility manufactures military-grade and commercial explosives used in defense, mining, and demolition industries.
Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis described the event as “the most devastating scene I’ve seen in my career.” The explosion obliterated one of the site’s main buildings, scattering twisted steel, mangled vehicles, and debris across a wide area.
The force of the detonation shook homes miles away and triggered several secondary explosions, complicating rescue and containment efforts.
Sheriff Davis confirmed multiple fatalities but declined to provide a specific number, stating, “We’re missing 19 souls.” He added that search and recovery efforts are ongoing and that determining the cause will take time.
“Do I see a short-term explanation? No,” Davis said. “Do I see us being here for many days? Yes, I do.”
A multi-agency response—including the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)—was launched within minutes of the explosion.
By late morning, crews had stabilized the area to prevent additional detonations and allow search operations to proceed safely.
According to TriStar Health spokesperson Casey Stapp, three individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Two were treated and released, while one remains hospitalized at TriStar Horizon Medical Center in Dickson.
Hickman County Mayor Jim Bates confirmed that AES employs about 80 workers, though it remains uncertain how many were inside the destroyed structure at the time of the blast.
According to the company’s website, AES produces and handles “high-quality energetic materials” for both defense and commercial markets, including bulk explosives and demolition charges.
The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) has formally opened an investigation into the incident.
“The agency has opened an investigation and will be on site once emergency officials clear the area,” TOSHA said in a statement. “To preserve the integrity of the investigation, TOSHA does not release preliminary information or comment while the process is underway.”
Records show that in April 2019, TOSHA previously inspected the AES facility after multiple workers suffered seizures and neurological impairment due to exposure to cyclonite (RDX)—a highly explosive compound used in military munitions.
The report identified the affected employees as having worked in the site’s “Hot House,” where explosive powders were dried and screened.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the explosion. Search and recovery teams continue to sift through debris in hopes of locating the remaining missing individuals.
Sheriff Davis said that federal safety officials and explosives experts are working closely to reconstruct the events leading up to what is now considered one of Tennessee’s deadliest industrial disasters.
“This is a tragedy that will stay with our community for years,” Davis said. “Our focus remains on recovery, accountability, and supporting the families who have lost so much.”
UPDATE: Search efforts have been suspended following the sinking of the commercial fishing vessel Lily Jean off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts, marking another tragic loss for the city’s historic fishing community.
The U.S. Coast Guard was alerted early Friday morning by the vessel’s emergency beacon after it activated in the water; no mayday call was received.
Responders located a debris field, an unoccupied life raft, and one deceased individual in the water.
Six other crew members remain missing and are presumed lost after an extensive air and sea search yielded no additional results.
The Coast Guard cited frigid water temperatures, challenging weather conditions, and the vast search area in its decision to suspend operations.
GLOUCESTER, Mass. — Authorities have identified all seven individuals who lost their lives after the commercial fishing vessel Lily Jean sank approximately 25 miles off Cape Ann, Massachusetts, early Friday morning, marking a devastating loss for Gloucester’s historic fishing community.
The Lily Jean, a commercial fishing vessel measuring between 72 and 80 feet in length and homeported in Gloucester—the nation’s oldest working fishing port—activated its emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) at approximately 6:50 a.m. Friday while returning to port.
No mayday call was received, and subsequent attempts to contact the vessel were unsuccessful.
The U.S. Coast Guard immediately launched a large-scale search and rescue operation, deploying an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and multiple surface assets to the area of the distress signal.
Crews located a debris field and an unoccupied life raft roughly 25 miles offshore near the EPIRB activation site, confirming the vessel had sunk to the ocean floor. One deceased individual was recovered from the water.
The remaining six crew members were later presumed lost after extensive search efforts yielded no additional results.
Officials confirmed that seven people were aboard the vessel at the time of the incident, revising earlier reports that indicated six.
The seven individuals who perished aboard the Lily Jean are:
- John Paul Rousanidis, 33, of Salem/Peabody, Massachusetts
- Sean Therrien, 44, of Lynn/Peabody, Massachusetts
- Freeman Short, of the Marshfield/Scituate area
- Captain Gus Sanfilippo, a well-known and respected Gloucester fisherman
- Paul Beal Sr., deckhand
- Paul Beal Jr., deckhand and son of Paul Beal Sr.
- Jada Samitt, 22, of Virginia
Jada Samitt, the seventh crew member identified, was serving aboard the vessel in the role of a federal fisheries observer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She had recently relocated to Massachusetts to pursue her passion for environmental biology, graduating last year. Family members said joining the Lily Jean crew was her first major professional role at sea and a lifelong dream.
Her aunt, Heather Michaels, described Samitt as a compassionate and driven young woman who deeply respected her captain and dedicated herself fully to her work. “She put her heart and soul into this opportunity,” family members said, noting her commitment to marine conservation and the fishing community.
Officials said the Lily Jean had reported taking on water shortly before contact was lost.
The vessel is now presumed fully submerged.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through Gloucester’s close-knit maritime community.
Ashley Sullivan, a local business owner who knew the vessel’s owner, emphasized the daily risks faced by commercial fishermen. “I hope people really take a moment to understand the sacrifices these men and women make to put food on our tables,” she said. “This is heartbreaking.”
Massachusetts State Senator Bruce Tarr also expressed condolences, highlighting Gloucester’s deep fishing heritage. “Gloucester has a long fishing history, and that history includes tragic loss,” Tarr said. “It appears we are experiencing another of those painful chapters.”
Governor Maura Healey released a statement saying she was “heartbroken over the devastating news out of Gloucester,” adding that her administration has offered full assistance to local officials and the Coast Guard. She extended prayers to the victims’ families and the broader fishing community across Cape Ann and the Commonwealth.
Community members and local businesses have continued to share messages of remembrance and solidarity. Taylor Hunt, a relative of Freeman Short, posted a tribute honoring the crew, writing in part: “The salt has been in our blood for generations… A man is not lost while the sea remembers his name. Fair winds and following seas.”
The Lily Jean had previously been featured on the History Channel series Nor’Easter Men, which documented the dangers and demands of New England’s commercial fishing industry.
While search operations have concluded, the Coast Guard and relevant agencies continue to review the circumstances surrounding the sinking. Officials have stated that further updates will be released as additional information becomes available.
Authorities have urged the public to keep the victims’ families and Gloucester’s fishing community in their thoughts and prayers during this period of profound loss.