(Photo by Ken Robinson / WTAM)
CLEVELAND, OH – A 44-year-old man is behind bars for the kidnapping and murder of a 14-year-old Cleveland girl.
Cleveland Police say Christopher Whitaker,44, was identified through forensic evidence and arrested tonight in Mayfield Heights.
Alianna Defreeze,14, went missing last Thursday going to school. She never arrived. Her body was found Sunday in a vacant house on Cleveland's east side.
Police say Whitaker does have prior criminal convictions.
The Cleveland Division of Police continues to ask for the assistance of the public in this case. Call homicide investigators at 216-623-5464 or Crimestoppers at 216-252-7463 (or text message: text TIP657 plus your message to Crimes 274637) with information. Tips may be provided anonymously.