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Police: 16-year-old strangled half-sister, will face open murder charge

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Wikimedia | Matty Ring | CC BY 2.0
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A west Michigan teenager’s death has been ruled a homicide by Kent County officials, and a suspect has been identified.

The Kent County Sheriff’s Department says an autopsy found 18-year-old McKenna Hilton died of strangulation.

A charge of open murder has been issued for sixteen-year-old half-brother Savon Schmus.

Authorities say arraignment is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

Police allege Savon strangled McKenna last week inside an apartment they lived in with their father and McKenna’s mother.

Her body was found outdoors by a passerby in Grand Rapids Township last Thursday.

A funeral service for McKenna was held this week.

Hilary is a General Assignment and Enterprise reporter for WGVU Public Media. She joined WGVU in September 2014 after several years of experience as a local news reporter, anchor and photojournalist in Midland, Saginaw and Bay counties. She's also worked as a financial and business reporter and audio field producer.
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