A 15-year-old boy faces second-degree murder charges following the death of a 13-year-old middle school cheerleader whose body was discovered on a dirt trail after her father used a tracking application to locate her.
Malakiah Lamar Harris is accused of using a pocket knife to repeatedly stab Savannah Grace Copeland in the early morning hours of October 22, 2024, according to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred on a trail in the Broadacres subdivision of Powell.
Michael Copeland, the victim’s father, became concerned when he couldn’t reach his daughter for several hours after she disappeared from their home overnight. He utilized the Life360 tracking application to assist deputies in locating his daughter’s body.
Savannah attended Powell Middle School where she excelled academically and athletically, participating in gymnastics, karate, and cheerleading [wbir.com]. She aspired to study forensic anthropology at the University of Tennessee and enjoyed drawing, scary stories, and pop music. The Copeland family were longtime members of the Powell United Methodist Church.
The Powell Middle School cheerleading team has established an annual award in Savannah’s name to recognize a team member who demonstrates similar character traits. “Spunkiness, eagerness and a go-getter attitude,” were characteristics her father used to describe her.
A memorial has been placed at the location where Savannah’s body was found, with community members leaving notes, flowers, and other items to honor her memory. The family hopes to establish a permanent memorial at the site.
The hearing on Wednesday morning, November 20, took roughly 10 minutes. Harris displayed minimal emotional expression both when he walked into the courtroom and during the entire proceeding.
Prosecutors are seeking to try Harris as an adult. The judge has scheduled a transfer hearing for January 14, 2025, where factors including Harris’ prior record, the nature of the crime, and the effectiveness of any rehabilitation or mental health treatment will be considered.