A 15-year-old boy is charged with murder after a 13-year-old girl was found stabbed to death on the trail, according to the sheriff

POWELL, Tenn. (WVLT/Gray News) – A 15-year-old boy is charged with second-degree murder in the death of a 13-year-old girl whose body was found on a trail in Tennessee.

The Knox County Sheriff's Office said the victim's body was found Tuesday afternoon on a trail in the Broadacres suburb of Powell, just outside Knoxville.

The victim's identity has not been publicly released.

According to court documents, the young girl was stabbed multiple times with a pocket knife.

Records show investigators believe the suspect and victim met shortly after midnight Tuesday.

“During the interaction, the defendant stabbed the victim multiple times using a pocket knife he was carrying, killing him,” court documents state. “He left her at the location without notifying anyone and she was found dead by members of the public later that day.”

The 15-year-old was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. Authorities have not said how the two knew each other or how they identified the boy as a suspect.

“As law enforcement professionals, nothing can prepare us for days like yesterday,” said Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler.

The teenager had his first court appearance on Wednesday, where he was appointed an attorney. He appeared in court a second time on Thursday.

The suspect is being held without bail pending trial. There is no set date for a trial yet, but he is expected back in court next week.

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