POWELL, Tenn. (Courtesy of our news partner WVLT) – For more than three weeks, the family of Savannah Copeland has grieved their loss after the 13-year-old was killed in the Broadacres neighborhood of Powell.
Malakiah Harris, 15, was charged with second degree murder after investigators believe he was the one responsible for Copeland’s death.
“I think it was a lack of compassion and a lack of empathy that drove the hand that took my daughter’s life,” said Savannah’s dad Michael Copeland.
Copeland said he knew something was wrong after not hearing from his daughter hours after she went missing from her home overnight. Using technology on his phone, he was able to track her location which would later reveal a tragic discovery for investigators along a popular walking path in the woods.
“Right now there’s not a lot of joy or genuine happiness,” said Copeland.
While this family has grieved, they’ve also been grateful from the outpouring of love and support from people across East Tennessee. People have been placing notes, flowers and items outside the Broadacres neighborhood sign near the area Copeland was killed.
“It helps to kind of restore my faith in God and everyone around us,” said Copeland.
Savannah was known for being passionate about cheerleading, which she did at Powell Middle School. Copeland said the cheer team has now started an award that will be given to someone on the team every year that embodies Savannah’s character the most.
“Spunkiness, eagerness, and kind of a go getter attitude I guess you should say,” said Copeland.
At the very spot where Copeland’s daughter was killed, there is now a cross with several important belongings that represent the 13-year-old. Instead of that spot being a reminder of tragedy, this family is choosing to see that place as a spot where they can remember the fond memories of their daughter.
Copeland is hopeful that people will see that cross and memorial and let it be a reminder to be kind to others.
“I’m not going to allow my heart to be filled with that kind of rage, it’s going to be filled with compassion. That’s the only way I know how to defeat evil.”
Copeland hoped to make that space a more permanent reminder of compassion and was to remember his daughter by building a bench and a more permanent structure for people to spend time at.
Harris, the teen accused of killing Copeland, will be in court once again on January 14, 2025.
