Second Victim of Deadly Explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems in Tennessee Identified as Melissa Dawn Stanford
HICKMAN COUNTY, Tenn. — Officials have confirmed the identity of a second victim in last week’s catastrophic explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems (AES), naming Melissa Dawn Stanford among those killed or still missing in one of Tennessee’s deadliest industrial disasters in recent history.
Stanford, whose name was shared publicly by family members, was among the 19 individuals confirmed dead or unaccounted for after a massive explosion tore through a major structure at the AES facility Friday morning. Her sister-in-law, Jessica Manners, expressed heartbreak in a social media post over the weekend, revealing that Stanford had not been located and pleading for prayers for all the affected families.
“I left AES this afternoon absolutely devastated,” Manners wrote. “Please pray for all these families. 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.”
A Devastating Blast
The explosion occurred around 7:45 a.m. CDT on Friday at the AES manufacturing plant, located along the border of Hickman and Humphreys counties—about 60 miles southwest of Nashville. Authorities described the blast as a “mass detonation,” obliterating one of the primary structures on site and hurling debris across a wide radius.
Sheriff Chris Davis of Humphreys County described the aftermath as “the most devastating scene I’ve seen in my career,” with mangled vehicles, shredded steel beams, and scorched debris littering the area. Secondary explosions reportedly followed the initial blast, hampering early emergency response efforts and creating further safety concerns.
“The blast was felt for miles,” Davis said. “We’re missing 19 souls. The recovery will not be quick—it’s going to take time, and it’s going to be hard.”
A History of Hazards
AES is known for manufacturing high-powered explosives used in both defense and commercial applications, including demolition charges and mining-grade materials. The company’s operations involve the handling of volatile compounds such as cyclonite (RDX), a highly sensitive military-grade explosive.
In 2019, the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) inspected the facility after several workers experienced seizures and neurological symptoms tied to RDX exposure. The investigation at the time pointed to safety failures in a section of the plant known as the “Hot House,” where workers dried and screened explosive powders.
That incident led to increased scrutiny of AES’s operational procedures, although the company continued manufacturing activities in the years that followed. As of this week, TOSHA has launched a new investigation into the recent explosion, though officials have emphasized that the process of determining the cause could take weeks or months.
“To preserve the integrity of the investigation, TOSHA does not release preliminary information,” the agency said in a written statement.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Search
First responders from multiple agencies, including the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), arrived on the scene within minutes of the initial call. By late morning, the site had been stabilized to prevent further detonations, allowing search-and-rescue teams to begin combing through the wreckage.
Three individuals were injured in the blast but survived, according to TriStar Health spokesperson Casey Stapp. Two have since been released from medical care, while one remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries at TriStar Horizon Medical Center in nearby Dickson.
The precise number of employees present at the time of the explosion remains unclear. Hickman County Mayor Jim Bates stated that AES employed approximately 80 people, but officials have not confirmed how many were working in the destroyed building at the time of the incident.
Community in Mourning
As the community reels from the disaster, friends and relatives of the missing have gathered at local churches and shelters, holding vigils and supporting one another during the agonizing wait for updates. Melissa Dawn Stanford, described by her family as a kind, hardworking woman, is being remembered as someone who brought light to those around her.
“She was the heart of our family,” one relative wrote on social media. “This tragedy is something no family should endure. We just want answers, and we want her home.”
Local officials have set up a support center for affected families and are working with grief counselors and mental health professionals to provide care for those impacted by the explosion.
Looking Forward: Investigation and Accountability
With the disaster now drawing national attention, pressure is mounting for a thorough investigation into safety practices at the AES facility. Lawmakers at the state and federal levels have already called for oversight hearings and a review of industrial safety regulations related to explosive materials.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Davis reiterated that the top priority remains locating the missing and bringing closure to grieving families.
“This is a tragedy that will stay with our community for years,” Davis said. “We’re focused on recovery, on accountability, and most of all, on honoring the lives of those lost. Melissa Stanford, and the others, will not be forgotten.”
Authorities are urging anyone with information or relevant video footage from the area around the time of the explosion to come forward as investigators work to piece together what led to the fatal incident.
A Somber Road Ahead
As rescue crews continue their difficult search, the small Tennessee communities of Hickman and Humphreys counties are united in sorrow—and resolve.
Flags fly at half-staff, and moments of silence have been observed in schools, government buildings, and local churches. In towns where everyone knows someone at AES, the grief runs deep.
But so too does the determination to uncover the truth behind the explosion that claimed the lives of so many, including Melissa Dawn Stanford.
Leave a Reply