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More than two years after Samantha Humphrey's disappearance, her ex-boyfriend has been arrested in connection with her murder. The 17-year-old, who was 14 at the time of the crime, has been charged with second-degree murder. Samantha, also 14, was last seen alive in November 2022 in Schenectady, New York, and her body was found in the Mohawk River in February 2023.
According to Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney, the suspect allegedly killed Samantha after she told him she believed she was pregnant and wanted to keep the baby. The suspect, whose name is not being released due to his age, has pleaded not guilty and is being held in a juvenile detention facility.
The investigation into Samantha's death was extensive, involving video evidence, GPS and cell phone tracking, and eavesdropping warrants that produced hours of recordings. Carney explained that the investigation was complicated by social media rumors but was ultimately aided by public tips. A special grand jury heard from 46 witnesses and reviewed 45 exhibits before indicting the suspect.
Carney stated that the medical examiner initially ruled the cause of death as undetermined but later confirmed it as homicide by asphyxiation. The suspect faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life if convicted.
The case has drawn significant attention in the Capital Region, with community members and law enforcement expressing their sorrow over the loss of a young life. Schenectady Police Chief Eric Clifford described the case as tragic for the community.