A 13-year-old girl in Tennessee, United States of America, Savannah Copeland
has been stabbed to death by a 15-year old boy she met on Monday night October 21.
Her body was discovered on Tuesday October 22 in Powell outside Knoxville covered in dirt.
According to the police, the victim was stabbed multiple times with a pocket knife by the 15-year old Malakiah Lamar Harris who has now been arrested and charged with second degree murder.
Her death has been described as ‘senseless’ by the police who are still investigating the motive behind the killing.
Copeland who is survived by her parents Michael and Amanda, as well as her twin brother and another brother have described her as a talented student who was hoping to become a successful athlete and study forensic anthropology at the University of Tennessee.
‘Her beautiful smile lit up the room. She loved her family, she loved her friends, and she loved art. Savannah attended Powell Middle School and was a talented student as well as an accomplished athlete, excelling in gymnastics, karate, and cheerleading. She enjoyed scary stories, drawing, and pop music,” said her family.
Before her death, Copeland and her family attended Powell United Methodist Church.
Her uncle, Scott Copland have created a GoFundMe to raise money for her funeral costs.
Writing on her death, Scott said Copeland ‘was a victim of a vicious murder.’
‘Savannah was a joy to her parents, brother Britton and twin brother Kasey, family, and friends. She lost her young life in a senseless manner leaving behind her devastated family.
‘Her parents and siblings are now not only facing a life without her but are also contending with funeral expenses and loss of income,” he wrote.
