Arrest made in connection to murder of missing Oklahoma teenager
STILLWATER, OKLA (KFOR) — Multiple agencies searching for missing Stillwater teenager Teedeenae “Jackson” Yearby said on Tuesday they recovered human remains.
The remains are at the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office in Oklahoma City for identification and to determine a cause of death.
The remains are thought to be connected with the case of the missing teenager, who was first reported missing in February of last year.
On Wednesday, Stillwater Police arrested Quinlan Phipps in connection to the teen’s murder.
More than a year later, family and friends are left with unanswered questions.
“What happened to him? What did he do? Where is he now?,” said Aspen Lawton, a friend of Jackson Yearby.
Yearby was 17 when police said he disappeared last February.
Nearly 15 months later, police made an arrest.
“Detectives arrested Quinlan Phipps, 19 years old, from Stillwater, on the complaints of first-degree murder,” said Lt. TJ Low with the Stillwater Police Department.
A childhood friend of Yearby said he had the kindest heart.
“He always smiled and he was always accepting. He never judged anybody,” said Lawton.
Lawton thought back to the moment she first heard about his disappearance last year
“I had never cried so hard in my life. Like I was sobbing, so sad,” said Lawton.
She said the arrest of Phipps gives some closure, but not enough.
Now, she’s left with questions about her childhood friend.
“Why would you take somebody so kind and so caring who had the entire world in his hands, who could have done so many good things and you just ripped that from him,” said Lawton.
Stillwater Police said they are still interviewing people to connect details in the case.