Third woman from Fort Recovery arrested, jailed in killing of Indiana man

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

(UPDATE @ 9:49 p.m.): A third woman from Fort Recovery is in custody on charges stemming from the slaying of a Jay County, Indiana, man this month, media outlets in Indiana are reporting tonight.

Hannah Knapke, an 18-year-old college freshman, is in custody in the slaying of Shea Briar, CBS affiliate WANE-TV and other media in the Hoosier State reported Wednesday night.

She joins former Fort Recovery High School softball coach Esther Stephen, 31, and former assistant softball coach Shelby Hiestand, also 18, in jail – all accused of murder in Briar’s slaying over what detectives have said was a custody dispute.

RELATED: Fort Recovery Local Schools working to fire softball coaches

According to a probable cause affidavit with the Jay County Prosecutor’s Office, investigators said Knapke loaned her vehicle to Stephen and Hiestand because it would not be recognized if someone saw it during the Jan. 11 shooting of Briar.

RELATED: Court papers: Fort Recovery prep coaches killed man in child custody dispute

The court filing also indicates Knapke was with Stephen and Hiestand when the shooting occurred.

Knapke was located in Marshalltown, Iowa, where she was a member of the Marshalltown Community College Tigers volleyball team. That’s where detectives interviewed her.

Hannah Knapke, Marshalltown Community College volleyball roster photo (Courtesy/Marshalltown Community College, Iowa)

icon to expand image

Knapke, Stephen and Hiestand all remain in the Jay County Security Center.

News Center 7 is working to learn more about this latest development in the homicide case involving Stephen and Hiestand. We will update this report as we learn more.

If you have information about this or any other breaking news, call our 24-hour line at 937-259-2237 or send it to newsdesk@cmgohio.com

About the Author