Authorities in Columbus, Ohio, have charged a high school teacher with first-degree conspiracy after she allegedly attempted to hire a teenage student to kill her husband.
Stephanie Demetrius, 44, a teacher at the Academy for Urban Scholars High School, allegedly offered a student $2,000 to carry out the murder of her husband, Steven Demetrius. Court records indicate she even provided the teen with a $250 down payment.
According to investigators, the plot came to light when the student’s mother discovered incriminating messages on his phone and alerted police. Law enforcement later recovered a recorded conversation in which Demetrius allegedly confirmed the rest of the payment.
Despite the serious accusations, Demetrius has denied any involvement, with her public defender calling the claims “fabricated.” However, Columbus police believe the evidence points to an alarming case of attempted coercion.
“This particular teacher was attempting to groom this young person into committing murder,” a police spokesperson stated.
Court records reveal that Demetrius previously filed for divorce from her husband in 2017, though the case was closed. However, it was reopened in April 2024 and remains ongoing. Investigators are still working to uncover the possible motive behind the alleged murder plot.
The case continues to unfold, with authorities digging deeper into what led a trusted educator to allegedly plan such a shocking crime.
