Man Arrested in St. Petersburg for Second Degree Murder (26-053)

ST. PETERSBURG – Detectives assigned to the Robbery & Homicide Unit are conducting a homicide investigation in St. Petersburg.

On June 25, 2026, at approximately 11:35 a.m., deputies responded to the Holliday Inn Express located at 4816 100th Way North in St. Petersburg after a hotel employee reported a person was deceased in one of the rooms. When deputies arrived on scene, they located the victim, 76-year-old Emma Mullins, on the floor of the room wrapped in a blanket with sheets, towels, and clothing on top of her in an attempt to conceal her location. Mullins was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Throughout the course of the investigation, detectives learned that an altercation took place between Mullins and the suspect, 38-year-old Paul Stottler. There were blood stains, overturned furniture, and broken glass throughout the room with obvious signs of trauma to Mullins.

Video surveillance showed Mullins and Stottler entering the room but only Stottler exiting the room hours later while carrying several bags that he then disposes of in the dumpster located in the hotel parking lot. While searching the dumpster, detectives found three documents with Mullins’s name concealed in an ice bucket as well as bedding and a pair of men’s pants that were stained with blood.

Stottler was taken into custody and charged with Murder in the Second Degree. He was transported to the Pinellas County Jail.

Next of kin has been notified.

The investigation continues.

Additional Information:
Emma Mullins (Victim - Deceased)
DOB: 11/29/1949
Address: 7279 Orkney Avenue North, St. Petersburg

Paul Stottler (Suspect – Arrested)
DOB: 06/30/1987
Address: Transient
Charge: Murder in the Second Degree