Teen Suspect Named by Police After 13-Year-Old Cheerleader Found Dead After Going Missing Overnight

Savannah Copeland, a 13-year-old girl who was found dead in the woods, is being mourned by a community in Tennessee. Overnight in October, the teenager disappeared. Her father located her and led authorities to her body hours after she was reported missing.

Police were able to identify the culprit as the inquiry went on. A teenager has been recognized as the alleged offender. He was taken into custody and accused of second-degree murder.

A Facebook post from the time states that on October 22, 2024, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a body found on a rural road.

The presence of a deceased body was confirmed by the authorities upon their arrival. According to the message, the Knox County Medical Examiner, together with detectives from Major Crimes and Juvenile Crimes, arrived and started gathering evidence and analyzing the incident.

Savannah Copeland was eventually confirmed as the girl, who was not named in the original statement.

Her father was able to help the investigation.

When Michael Copeland, Savannah’s father, hadn’t heard from his daughter for hours after she vanished overnight, he told 8 WVLT that he sensed something wasn’t right.

Authorities were able to make the finding because he was able to use his phone to trace her position.

According to him, the hand that killed my daughter was motivated by a lack of understanding and compassion.

Police were able to find the suspected killer.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office reported that a 15-year-old Powell boy had been taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder the night the girl was found.

Judge Timothy E. Irwin made the decision to reveal the identity of the suspect, Malakiah Lamar Harris, two days later, according to a story from 6 News.

A court petition obtained by 6 News claims that Harris repeatedly stabbed the girl with a pocketknife. He allegedly killed her and ran away after meeting her around midnight.

Prosecutors want to try the teen as an adult.

According to 10 News, Knox County Assistant District Attorney General Tammy Hicks told the judge earlier this month that she would be submitting the necessary papers to have Harris tried as an adult.

The news article claims that Hicks has already initiated the procedure. Michael Copeland expressed his desire for Harris to be tried as an adult to the news organization. The nature of Harris’s crime is the reason for the transfer.

Before rendering a judgment, the judge must nevertheless take into account a number of criteria. Both the teen’s living situation and mental health will be taken into account.

Even if the teenager is not incarcerated, Irwin still has to determine whether he is a threat, according to 10 News. On January 14, Harris is scheduled to return to court.

Savannah is remembered for her feisty demeanor.

The community has united to support Savannah Copeland’s family since her passing. Powell MAC Cheerleading, where the girl cheered, asked the public to wear blue in her tribute in a post on October 27.

Michael Copeland informed 8 WVLT that the group was creating a prize that would be presented to a kid who best exemplifies his daughter’s traits at the end of the year.

In her online obituary, Savannah’s relatives stated: “Her lovely smile lit up the room.” The girl wanted to pursue forensic anthropology in college at UT. According to the obituary, she loved pop music, horror stories, and painting.

To help with bills while her family grieves, the family set up a GoFundMe page. To date, it has raised almost $50,000.

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