This morning, while perusing my Twitter timeline, I spotted this story about a Middle Tennessee basketball player’s roommate being charged with her murder. The first thing I thought was a lover’s quarrel had gotten out of hand. I intended to write a post this morning, but it completely slipped my mind. Thanks to loyal reader Nicole B. for refreshing my memory.
Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Lisa Marchesoni said 18-year-old Shanterrica Madden was charged with first degree murder in Stewart’s death. She is scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning.
Police spokesman Kyle Evans said Madden stabbed Stewart during an argument.
Two others were ruled out as suspects after police interviewed them.
The 21-year-old Stewart had multiple wounds when authorities found her, Evans said. She was taken to Middle Tennessee Medical Center and was later pronounced dead.
Middle Tennessee president Sidney McPhee, who spoke with Stewart’s father, said at a news conference that the entire university is grieving over the death of “a wonderful, talented and vibrant young woman.” McPhee said Stewart had spent the past three Thanksgivings with his family because she could not return home for the holiday.
“The anguish I feel as a father and a president … but personally as a father with a daughter about the age of Tina cannot adequately be expressed with words,” McPhee said.
Counselors have been alerted to help on campus.
Athletic director Chris Massaro was emotional at the news conference.
“This is an unspeakable tragedy to one of our family members,” Massaro said. “Our biggest concern is with Tina and her family. The team is devastated, but we’ll work through this together … one step at a time.”
