Third woman arrested in Jay County murder

UPDATE:

JAY COUNTY, Indiana (WKEF/WRGT) -- Police announced on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, that Hannah Knapke, 18, of Fort Recovery was arrested as a third suspect in connection with the murder of Shea Briar. Last week, Esther J. Stephen and Shelby Hiestand were arrested in relation to the murder of the Indiana man.

According to court documents Knapke met with the other two women before the shooting and was part of the planning phase. Stephen and Briar had recently had child custody disputes. Briar had recently sought a court ruling to establish parenting time rights and changing the last name of their child.

Documents also indicated that Knapke used her vehicle to pick up the other defendants and the victim with knowledge they were going to kill him.

In the affidavit, Knapke drove everyone out to the bridge on County Rd 125 where they shot Briar with a .22 rifle.

----------------------------

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

Two Fort Recovery High School softball coaches have been arrested and expected to be charged with murder.

The Jay County, Indiana, Prosecutor's Office says Esther J. Stephen, 31, and Shelby N. Hiestand, 18, both of Portland, Indiana, were arrested Jan. 14, 2020 for the murder of Shea Briar. Both are being held in the Jay County Security Center without bond.

Jay County Prosecutor Wes Schemenaur said in a statement today (Jan. 15, 2020) that formal charges would likely be filed later today.

The Fort Recovery School District said Esther Stephen is the high school head softball coach and Shelby Hiestand is an assistant softball coach. Both coaches have been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation by law enforcement. Neither is allow to have any contact or communication with students enrolled in Fort Recovery schools. Neither is permitted to be on school property without permission from the superintendent.

Schemenaur said the investigation was conducted by Jay County Sheriff's Department with assistance from the Indiana State Police, the Portland Police Department, the Dunkirk Police Department, and the Jay County Prosecutor's Office.

The school district said it will release information about the softball program as it becomes available.

Stephen and Hiestand are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday (Jan. 16, 2020) in Jay County Court.