What Terrell Stepney Liked

by Kristina Chew · 2009-03-04 01:39:00 UTC
Topics:

Spiderman puzzle
Terrell Stepney was 19 years old and liked jigsaw puzzles---of Spider Man, it seems, and other subjects---P.E., and field trips. He lived with his grandparents in South Norfolk, Virginia and attended Oscar Smith High School. Today's Virginia-Pilot reports that, late last week, Stepney's grandmother, 55-year-old Constance Stepney, killed him with an overdose of prescription medication before taking an overdose of the same drugs.

Terrell's grandfather, Larry Stepney, discovered both of them after trying to wake Terrell for school Friday morning, police said.

Terrell, 19, was breathing irregularly, and Constance Stepney was unresponsive. Larry Stepney called 911, but it was too late for both of them. Constance Stepney, 55, was pronounced dead at their South Norfolk home, which sits in a cul-de-sac in the 3100 block of Ida Street.

Medics took Terrell to Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. He was placed on life support but died Saturday evening.

Police have closed the case. They offered no motive.

"It's just a tragic story," said Paul Joseph, principal at Oscar Smith High School. "His classmates are a small, tight-knit group."

So much sadness here and so, too, many questions. What had happened to Terrell's parents? What supports were in place and what was not? What, what, and why............. What aren't we doing, that these stories---this story too--- still keep happening?

Thinking of Terrell's grandfather especially.

Kristina Chew
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