A Tennessee community is mourning Savannah Copeland, a 13-year-old girl who was found dead in the woods. The teen disappeared overnight back in October. Hours after she had allegedly gone missing, her father tracked her location, leading the authorities to find her body.
As the investigation continued, police were able to identify the suspect. The teenager who allegedly committed the crime has been identified. He was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
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The girl's body was found on a dirt road.
On October 22, 2024, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a body found on a dirt road, the office shared in a Facebook post at the time. Upon arrival, authorities were able to confirm that there was indeed a dead body. “Detectives from Major Crimes and Juvenile Crimes and the Knox County Medical Examiner arrived and began collecting evidence and processing the scene,” the post notes.
The girl wasn’t named in the initial statement but eventually was identified as Savannah Copeland.
Her father was able to help the investigation.
Savannah’s father, Michael Copeland, told 8 WVLT that he knew something was wrong when he hadn’t heard from the girl hours after she went missing overnight. He was able to track her location using his phone, which led the authorities to make the discovery.
“I think it was a lack of compassion and a lack of empathy that drove the hand that took my daughter’s life,” he said.
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Police were able to find the suspected killer.
On the evening the girl was found, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office shared that a 15-year-old boy from Powell had been arrested and charged with second-degree murder. Two days later, 6 News shared that Judge Timothy E. Irwin decided to release the name of the suspect: Malakiah Lamar Harris.
According to the petition released by the court and shared by 6 News, Harris is accused of stabbing the girl multiple times with a pocketknife. He met her around midnight and left after allegedly killing her.
Prosecutors want to try the teen as an adult.
Earlier this month, Knox County Assistant District Attorney General Tammy Hicks told the judge she was filing the paperwork to have Harris tried as an adult, 10 News reported. According to the news report, Hicks has already begun the process. Michael Copeland told the news outlet that he wants to see Harris tried as an adult. The move comes as a result of the nature of Harris’ crime.
There are still multiple factors for the judge to consider before a decision is made. The teen’s mental health will be considered, as well as his living situation. Irwin also has to decide if the teen poses a threat if he’s not in jail, according to 10 News. Harris is expected back in court on January 14.
Savannah is being remembered for her 'spunky' attitude.
Since Savannah Copeland’s death, the community has shown up to support her family. The girl was a cheerleader for Powell MAC Cheerleading, and on October 27, it shared a post asking the community to wear blue to honor her. Michael Copeland told 8 WVLT that the team was starting an award to be given at the end of the year to a student who embodies his daughter’s best qualities.
In her online obituary, Savannah’s family said, “her beautiful smile lit up the room.” The girl wanted to go to college at UT and study forensic anthropology. “She enjoyed scary stories, drawing, and pop music,” the obituary read. The family started a GoFundMe account to help cover costs as her relatives grieve. It’s raised more than $50,000 thus far.
