Savannah Copeland, a young cheerleader, was tragically found stabbed to death, and a suspect has been arrested.
Copeland was found dead in October.
The middle school cheerleader in Tennessee was stabbed to death by a 15-year-old boy after her own father found her body on a hiking trail near their family home in Knox County, Tenn.
Michael Copeland, the victim’s father, told 8WVLT his daughter had been missing for hours before he tracked her using her cellphone information and found her body.
Savannah Copeland reportedly met the 15-year-old around midnight on October 22 when he attacked her and then fled the scene. On the trail, the boy allegedly stabbed Savannah multiple times with a pocket knife.
Savannah Copeland, 13, of #Powell, #Tennessee, was tragically found dead on a dirt trail behind a community pool last Tuesday. Her family has identified her as the victim of a senseless stabbing, though police have not yet officially released her name
Malakiah Lamar Harris, 15,… pic.twitter.com/cGCq9M1pJQ
— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) October 31, 2024
The 15-year-old wasn’t free for very long as he was caught and charged with second-degree murder, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office said.
It remains unclear how the two teenagers knew each other.
“I think it was a lack of compassion and a lack of empathy that drove the hand that took my daughter’s life,” Copeland told 8 WVLT.
According to an obituary, Savannah was a very active kid. She was involved in cheerleading, karate, gymnastics, and art.
She is survived by one brother, another twin brother, and her two loving parents.
Prosecutors Want To Try Teen Killer As An Adult Over Death of Savannah Copeland
Savannah Copeland, a 13-year-old cheerleader, was found on a dirt road in October dead from stab wounds.
Police arrested 15-year-old Malakiah Lamar Harris in connection with her death, and charged him with second-degree murder.
Prosecutors are aiming to try him as an adult.
Her alleged killer is due back in court on January 14.
