Arrest made in Alexa Stakely death
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A 16-year-old boy is charged with murder in the death of Alexa Stakely, a single mother who was killed while trying to stop a carjacking while her son was in the car.
According to the Columbus Division of Police, the juvenile was taken into custody and police are still searching for two other suspects. He came to the division's headquarters with his parents, where he agreed to an interview with detectives. Speaking with detectives, the juvenile confessed to stealing Stakely's car on July 11 and hitting her with the vehicle.
Stakely died after being struck around 1:30 a.m. that morning. She was picking up her child from his babysitter's apartment. Police said that while the child was asleep in the car and Stakely ran back to the apartment to pick up the boy's belongings, someone started to drive away in her vehicle. Stakely was hit and killed by the car, which was found abandoned nearby with her son safe and still asleep inside.
Surveillance photos and videos show three suspects walking away from the abandoned vehicle and heading north on Brywood Green Drive on the city's southeast side.
Stakely, a single mother who worked as a speech therapist in the Canal Winchester school district, had just finished a shift at her second job when she arrived to pick up her son.
With the way the suspects walked around the area, police said they may be familiar with the community and either live there or know people who live there.
Police are asking residents of Brynwood Green Drive, White Oak Park Condominiums, The Green, Brynwood Reserve, The Residences at James Place, and the Residents at Akita Lane for any video they may have that shows the suspects in the early morning of July 11.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Columbus Police Det. Lemmon at 614-645-2558, email ralemmon@columbuspolice.org, or scan the QR code to submit any relevant video of the incident.