WEST PHILADELPHIA, PA. – A 15-year-old Delaware girl was brutally murdered by a West Philadelphia man who she met on Facebook, authorities said.
On Tuesday morning the unidentified female body was found camouflage under a stack of leaves in the 200 block of South 49th Street. The medical examiner picked up the body from the location to perform an autopsy to determine the case of death and identity of the victim. On Thursday, August 8, 2019, it was determined that the body was that of a missing New Castle, Delaware girl, Sabriya McLean. Sabriya died as a result of approximately 80 stab wounds and was set on fire post mortem.
Through investigation it was learned that Sabriya and the suspect, Cole Swaringer-Herring met on Facebook. They set up an in-person meeting on Monday night. The suspect, who lives with his parents had the home to himself at one point during the night. When they returned, he told them what had happened and they reported the incident to authorities.
Swaringer-Herring was arrested after the body of the teen was found behind his home, under a leaves. Authorities are concerned and believe that Sabriya may not be the first killing by the suspect. They are looking back at past, unsolved cases to determine if Swaringer-Herring was involved. Swaringer-Herring was arrested for murder, arson, and abuse of a corpse.
