Middle school cheerleader stabbed to death by 15-year-old, deputies say

POWELL, Tenn.(WVLT/Gray News) – A middle school cheerleader in Tennessee was stabbed to death by a 15-year-old boy, according to authorities.

The body of 13-year-old Savannah Copeland was found on a road Tuesday around 4:45 p.m., according to Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler.

Malakiah Harris, 15, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in his death, Spangler said.

Investigators say Harris used a pocket knife to stab the girl multiple times early Tuesday morning, deputies said.

Savannah’s father, Michael Copeland, said he knew something was wrong when he didn’t hear from his daughter for hours after she disappeared from her home overnight.

Using Life360, he was able to track the woman’s location, which would later lead to a tragic discovery for investigators on a popular trail in the woods.

“There’s not a lot of joy or real happiness right now,” Copeland said.

A cross with many important items representing the 13-year-old now stands at the site where Copeland’s daughter was killed.

Rather than seeing that spot as a reminder of tragedy, this family chooses to see it as a place where they can remember their daughter’s good memories.

Copeland hopes people will see this cross and memorial and that it will be a reminder to be kind to others.

“I won’t let my heart be filled with that kind of anger, it will be filled with compassion,” he said. “It’s the only way I know to defeat evil.”

Savannah was known for being passionate about her cheerleading at Powell Middle School.

Copeland said the cheer squad has now started an award that will be given annually to someone on the team who best represents the character of Savannah.

The young man accused of killing Savannah will appear in court once again on January 14.

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