Teen may be tried as adult for stabbing 13-year-old cheerleader to death on Tennessee hiking trail: cops

A middle school cheerleader in Tennessee was stabbed to death by a 15-year-old boy — and now prosecutors are aiming to try him as an adult.

Savannah Copeland, a 13-year-old cheerleader at Powell United Methodist Church, was found dead by her father on a hiking trail near their family home in Knox County, Tenn, on Oct. 22, according to a statement from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.

Her alleged killer brought Savannah to the popular walking path in Powell, Tenn., just after midnight, according to Knox County authorities.

On the trail, the boy allegedly stabbed Savannah multiple times with a pocketknife, according to the sheriff’s office. 

It is not clear how the two teenagers knew each other.

The teen suspect was arrested later that day and has been charged with second-degree murder, according to the sheriff’s office. 

Prosecutors announced at a hearing this week that they plan to try him as an adult, according to 6 News.

Michael Copeland, the victim’s father, tracked her the night of the murder using her cell phone and found her lifeless body in the woods, per 8 WVLT.

“I think it was a lack of compassion and a lack of empathy that drove the hand that took my daughter’s life,” Copeland told 8 WVLT.

Copeland said that the outpouring of support his family has received from their community helped “restore my faith in God,” according to that outlet.

Savannah was an active kid — involved in cheerleading, karate, gymnastics and art, according to an obituary.

The young girl, whose “beautiful smile lit up a room,” wanted to attend the University of Tennessee and study forensic anthropology, according to that obituary.

Savannah is survived by one brother, another twin brother, and her two loving parents.

Her alleged killer is due back in court on January 14.