Episode 5: The Murder of Alianna DeFreeze

14-year-old Alianna DeFreeze was described as bubbly and happy. Her favorite color was purple and she loved all things “girly”. She went missing on her way to school one morning and was never seen alive again.

To learn more about Alianna and the work her amazing family is doing visit- The Alianna DeFreeze Let’s Make a Change Foundation.

Christopher Whitaker abducted, raped, tortured, and ultimately murdered Alianna. He was sentenced to death and is currently waiting for his sentence to be carried out on death row at the Chillicothe Correctional Institution.

Sources

• The Alianna DeFreeze Let’s Make a Change Foundation

• Family, community says goodbye to Alianna DeFreeze- Kaylee Remington- cleveland.com

• 'She still played with baby dolls': Mother of Alianna DeFreeze testifies at death penalty trial- Corey Shaffer- cleveland.com

• Wrongful Death court filing for Alianna DeFreeze

• Psychologist says suspect in Cleveland teen’s slaying misused drugs- WSYX/WTTE- ABC 6 News

• Christopher Whitaker convicted of killing Cleveland teen Alianna DeFreeze in death penalty case- Corey Shaffer- cleveland.com

• Whitaker found guilty of aggravated murder, other charges in murder of Alianna DeFreeze- Brittany Bivins and Sya Nyorkor- Cleveland 19 News

• Video shows murder suspect meeting Alianna DeFreeze, investigators say- Matt Wright- Fox 8 News

• Jury in Alianna DeFreeze case views accused killer’s hours-long confession- Corey Shaffer- cleveland.com

• Defense experts explain why Christopher Whitaker should not be executed for killing Alianna DeFreeze- Corey Shaffer- cleveland.com

• Who is Christopher Whitaker?- Sarah Gangraw- yourtango.com

• Man charged in Alianna DeFreeze's death sexually assaulted woman, stabbed her with scissors in 2005- Adam Ferrise- cleveland.com

• Jury deliberation the fate of man accused of hunting, kidnapping and killing Alianna DeFreeze- Corey Shaffer- cleveland.com

• VIDEO: Home demolished where Alianna DeFreeze was murdered- Ian Cross- news5cleveland.com

• Alianna Alert' requiring schools to alert parents of absent students in timely fashion will take effect Thursday- WKYC Staff- wkyc.com