What to Know
- Madison Sparrow, 17, was reported missing by a family member on Friday around 8:30 p.m. after she never returned home.
- Sparrow's ex-boyfriend, 19-year-old Noah Sharp of Newark, Delaware, was later arrested and charged in her murder.
- Sharp was arraigned and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $1,021,000.00 cash bail.
Loved ones are mourning a Delaware teen girl who police say was beaten to death by her ex-boyfriend who left her body in a wooded area near an elementary school.
On Friday, Oct. 2, Madison Sparrow, 17, of Newark, Delaware, was reported missing by her mother. Her mother told police Madison had been picked up by a friend that afternoon. Madison told her she would be back home in a few hours but never returned.
Investigators later found Madison's body in a wooded area near Rt. 896 and I-95 in Newark, Delaware. They also found a metal baseball bat near her body.
Investigators determined Madison died from blunt force trauma and her death was ruled a homicide.
Police later identified Madison's ex-boyfriend, 19-year-old Noah Sharp of Newark, Delaware, as a suspect in her death. Sharp allegedly told police he and another person planned to kill Madison and admitted to beating her with a metal baseball bat before hiding her body in a wooded area.
Sharp was arrested and charged with murder, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony and conspiracy.
Sharp was arraigned and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $1,021,000.00 cash bail.
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Police have not revealed any details on a second suspect possibly involved in Madison's murder and they continue to investigate. If you have any information, please call Detective M. Csapo with the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit at 302-741-2729. You can also call Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.
A memorial for Madison was set up at Maclary Elementary School which is located near where her body was found.
A candlelight vigil will be held for Madison on Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Newark Charter Junior/Senior High School on 200 McIntire Drive in Newark, Delaware.
A family-only viewing will be held for Madison at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home while a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Delaware State Police is also offering service to anyone who was a victim or witness of a crime or to anyone who has lost a loved one to a sudden death. If you're in need of support, call the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center at their toll free hotline 1-800 VICTIM-1. (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us. The service is available 24 hours a day.
