Detectives did not give a motive for the killing but say the investigation is active and ongoing. Police say they have information that other individuals may be involved in the homicide.
NEWARK (DE): 19-year-old Noah M. Sharp is behind bars and charged with the brutal murder of a Newark teen who was reported missing by family members according to Delaware State Police.
Sharp is facing several charges including murder in connection with the missing 17-year-old.
Madison, a 17-year-old student at Newark Charter School, was described by family members as selfless, compassionate, loving and a “darn good Girl Scout cookie saleswomen”.
Sparrow was picked up by a friend and was planning to go to a store to spend time together. She told her mother she would return in a few hours, but she never did., her mother told investigators.
Investigators would later learn through interviews that Sparrow went to an undisclosed location where her ex-boyfriend, Noah [Sharp] was.
After not returning home, Sparrow was reported missing by a family member around 8:30 p.m. on Friday October 2, 2020.
Police initially issued a Gold Alert for her Saturday night. It’s unknown why there was a delay in issuing the Gold Alert when there was a concern for her safety.
A Facebook Group was created by the family to get the community involved in canvassing the Newark area in hopes of finding Sparrow. Almost immediately, the community came together where they worked in groups to search different areas in Newark. Then investigators brought the family the sad news.
Police say after the homicide occurred, she was transported to a secluded wooded location in Newark, where law enforcement officers discovered her body.
According to court documents, in an interview with police, Sharp confessed to the killing and directed detectives to a wooded area near Interstate 95 and Del. 896, where they found Sparrow’s body. An autopsy would late rule her death a homicide by blunt-force trauma.
Sharp used an aluminum bat to hit Sparrow in the head in a wooded area behind Maclary Elementary School. Police later found the weapon, blood, and Sparrow’s clothing, according to court documents.
Sharp also told police he planned the killing with another person, who is not identified in court documents.
On Monday, Sharp was taken into custody and charged with Murder 1st Degree (felony), Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (felony), and Conspiracy 1st Degree (felony).
Sharp was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #2 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $1,021,000.00 cash bail.
Detectives did not give a motive for the killing but say the investigation is active and ongoing. Police say they have information that other individuals may be involved in the homicide.
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Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective M. Csapo with the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit at 302-741-2729.
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Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com .
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If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us.
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