Shocking new surveillance footage shows aftermath of carjacking that saw Ohio teacher, 29, killed while saving her six-year-old son's life
- Police are asking residents to check surveillance footage to help ID suspects
- A GoFundMe fundraiser has now been set up to help the family of the victim
Shocking new video shows the aftermath of a carjacking tragedy that saw an Ohio teacher killed while saving her six-year old son's life.
Columbus police released the footage hours before a public vigil was due to take place in Canal Winchester, Ohio on Wednesday to honor 29-year-old Alexa Stakely, who died last Thursday after she was struck by her own stolen Honda CR-V.
Two of three suspects are seen chasing the car, with the third suspect driving, before abandoning the car at a nearby parking lot and vanishing.
Cops released the footage with an updated map showing the area the suspects were last seen and calling on residents of The Residences at James Place and The Residences at Akita Lane to check for any footage they might have from the early hours of July 11.
Ms Stakely was hit while picking up her son from her babysitter's residence on Blue Knoll Drive around 1.30am after coming back from her second job as a waitress, suffering a fatal head injury as she was struck by her own car.
Suspects are seen chasing after Ms Stakely's Honda CRV after the horrifying theft
The Ohio teacher died saving her son's life after an armed carjacker tried to steal the car the six-year-old was sleeping in
Alexa Stakely, 29, speech-language pathologist, was picking up her 6-year-old son from a babysitter's apartment after getting off shift for her second job
Cops said the mother had loaded her sleeping son into her car but ran back to the babysitter's apartment to pick something up.
The carjacker then jumped into her car, idling, and drove away, reports WSYX.
Ms Stakely chased after the suspect and tried to stop him before throwing herself onto the car.
New footage shows the suspects driving off in the vehicle, with two chasing in tow on foot.
The suspects are understood to have then dumped the car in a nearby parking lot before disappearing.
When police arrived, they found the parked vehicle with the child, Deluca Brynn Foster, still sleeping inside the vehicle.
'Ms. Stakely's family shared that she died heroically while trying to save her 6-year-old son during a carjacking,' Canal Winchester Schools said in a heartfelt tribute.
'Thankfully, her son was not injured and is now with family. Please keep Alexa's son, family, and friends in your prayers during this difficult time.
'Alexa was passionate about children and speech-language therapy. She was smart and compassionate, and she cared so much about helping children develop their ability to communicate.
'She was a great mom who was incredibly dedicated to her son.
'Ms. Stakely made a difference in the lives of the students and families she worked with and will be missed by so many in our community and beyond.'
Winchester Trail Elementary school, where Ms Stakely worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist, held a vigil on Wednesday.
Close friends, colleagues and family were invited for a private visitation at the Grace Fellowship Church in Lithopolis on Thursday.
Ms Stakely's obituary says she will be buried at the church at a later date.
Police arrive at the scene to find six-year-old Deluca Brynn Foster still in the stolen car
The car had been parked in the driveway, idling, when a suspect stole it and drove off
Ms Stakely was 'extremely passionate' about her work and 'always had a desire to help others', informing her career choice as a therapist helping young children, the obituary said.
'Although Alexa was extremely passionate about her teaching and speech language therapy she provided for others, and loved to surround herself with students that she could help, the love of her life was [her son] Deluca,' it said.
A fundraiser has since been set up to help raise $15,000 to support her family in these difficult times.
With the nation moved by Ms Stakely's heroism and tragedy, nearly $90,000 has already been raised.
