POWELL, Tenn. (WVLT/Gray News) – A middle school cheerleader in Tennesse was stabbed to death by a 15-year-old boy, according to authorities.
According to Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler, 13-year-old Savannah Copeland’s body was found on a trail around 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday.
Spangler said 15-year-old Malakiah Harris was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection to her death.
Investigators said sometime in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Harris used a pocket knife to stab the girl multiple times, deputies said.
Savannah’s dad, Michael Copeland said he knew something was wrong after not hearing from his daughter hours after she went missing from her home overnight.
Using Life360, he was able to track her location which would later reveal a tragic discovery for investigators along a popular trail in the woods.
“Right now there’s not a lot of joy or genuine happiness,” said Copeland.
At the very spot where Copeland’s daughter was killed, there is now a cross with several important belongings that represent the 13-year-old.
Instead of that spot being a reminder of tragedy, this family is choosing to see that place as a spot where they can remember the fond memories of their daughter.
Copeland is hopeful that people will see that cross and memorial and let it be a reminder to be kind to others.
“I’m not going to allow my heart to be filled with that kind of rage, it’s going to be filled with compassion,” he said. “That’s the only way I know how to defeat evil.”
Savannah was known for being passionate about cheerleading, which she did at Powell Middle School.
Copeland said the cheer team has now started an award that will be given to someone on the team every year who embodies Savannah’s character the most.
The teen accused of killing Savannah will be in court once again on Jan. 14.
Copyright 2024 WVLT via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.