Ohio teacher attempted to pay student $2K to kill estranged husband in failed murder-for-hire plot

An Ohio substitute teacher, Stephanie Demetrius, has been accused of a shocking crime – offering a student $2,000 to kill her estranged husband. The disturbing murder-for-hire plot was uncovered when the teenager’s mother discovered incriminating texts on her son’s phone and immediately alerted authorities.

Demetrius, 44, was arrested and charged with first-degree conspiracy for soliciting the murder of her soon-to-be ex-husband. The incident took place at The Academy For Urban Scholars High School in Columbus, where Demetrius approached a student on March 26 and offered him $2,000 to carry out the heinous act. To seal the deal, she even gave the student $250 in cash as a down payment.

According to Columbus Division of Police Sgt. James Fuqua, Demetrius was trying to manipulate and groom the young student into committing murder. The plan unraveled when the student’s mother discovered the disturbing texts and promptly reported it to the authorities.

In a recorded phone call between Demetrius and the student, she promised to pay the remaining amount and provided details about when her children would be out of the house so that the murder could be carried out. Court records revealed that she callously dismissed concerns about neighbors hearing gunfire.

Further investigation revealed that Demetrius and her husband had been married since 2004 but were going through a divorce. Her estranged husband had obtained a protection order against her due to her possessive and controlling behavior, as well as previous homicidal threats. Additionally, court filings indicated a history of violent behavior, including assaulting her husband and children, setting a fire in the basement, and damaging property in front of the children.

During her court appearance, Demetrius’s public defender denied the allegations, claiming they were fabricated. However, Prosecutor Parker Schwartz highlighted Demetrius’s troubling behavior, mental health issues, and previous threats of violence.

Demetrius was released on a $150,000 bond but is prohibited from contacting her estranged husband or the student involved in the murder plot. She is scheduled to appear in court on April 11 to face the serious charges against her.

This shocking incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and swift action in preventing acts of violence. The quick thinking of the student’s mother and the authorities helped thwart a potentially tragic outcome. The case also underscores the need for mental health support and intervention in cases where individuals exhibit dangerous behavior.