Upstate New York Teen Arrested for Murdering 14-year-old Former Girlfriend

After a two-plus year investigation, authorities have charged a teenage boy in connection with the disappearance and murder of 14-year-old Samantha Humphrey whose body was discovered in the Mohawk River months after she went missing.

Samantha, a resident of Schenectady, New York, was last seen alive on November 25th, 2022, just days after Thanksgiving.

Her remains were eventually found by a fisherman in February 2023 in the Mohawk River. The discovery led authorities to declare her death a homicide, but no suspect had been identified until now.

This week, Schenectady County prosecutors announced that a 17-year-old male, identified as Humphrey’s ex-boyfriend, was arrested and charged with her murder. His identity has not been released due to his age.

At a press conference, Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney provided insight into the disturbing motive behind the crime. According to Carney, the accused believed Samantha was pregnant and didn’t want her to have the baby. He allegedly pressured her to terminate the pregnancy and when she didn’t he responded with deadly violence.

Investigators say the teen killed Humphrey by strangling and suffocating her.

Officials have not confirmed whether the victim was actually pregnant, but say evidence supports that it was a critical factor in the ex-boyfriend's motive.

Upstate New York Teen Arrested for Murdering 14-year-old Former Girlfriend