Ohio Substitute Teacher Accused of Trying To Hire Student To Kill Her Husband

An Ohio substitute teacher faces serious charges after allegedly paying a student $250 as a down payment to murder her estranged husband, with authorities claiming she provided detailed instructions on when and how to carry out the killing.

Quick Takes

Stephanie Demetrius allegedly offered a student $2,000 to kill her soon-to-be ex-husband, with $250 already paid as a down payment.
The alleged plot was discovered when the student’s mother found suspicious messages on her son’s phone and alerted authorities.
Police have digital evidence including a recorded phone call between Demetrius and the student.
Demetrius has been released on a $150,000 bond with her preliminary hearing set for April 11.
Prosecutors cite a history of threats against her husband, who had previously obtained a protection order against her.

Murder-for-Hire Plot Uncovered

Stephanie Demetrius, a substitute teacher at the Academy for Urban Scholars High School in Columbus, Ohio, has been arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated murder. According to authorities, Demetrius allegedly approached a student with an offer of $2,000 to kill her estranged husband, with whom she was undergoing divorce proceedings. Court documents reveal that Demetrius had already provided the student with $250 as an initial payment for the planned murder, with the remainder to be paid after the deed was done.

The alleged plot came to light when the student’s mother discovered suspicious messages on her son’s phone and took immediate action by contacting law enforcement. This parental intervention proved crucial in preventing what could have been a tragic outcome. Columbus police moved quickly to investigate the allegations, gathering substantial evidence including digital communications between Demetrius and the student that outlined the murder plan in disturbing detail.

Ohio teacher allegedly offered student $2K to kill estranged husband in foiled murder-for-hire plot https://t.co/ZvWK1s0Umb pic.twitter.com/p3E6H15dsK

— New York Post (@nypost) April 4, 2025

Teacher Allegedly Provided Detailed Instructions

Investigators report that Demetrius went beyond simply soliciting the crime, but actively coached the student on how to carry out the murder. She allegedly provided specific information about her husband’s schedule, identifying optimal times when he would be home alone. According to the affidavit, she dismissed concerns about gunfire noise and assured the student that “the remaining payment was not a worry.” These details suggest a calculated approach to planning the crime.

Columbus Police Sergeant James Fuqua credited the student’s family with preventing a potential tragedy, stating, “Without their help, some of this might not have come to light.” The police investigation uncovered damning evidence against Demetrius, including a recorded phone conversation with the student discussing details of the planned murder. These recordings now form a central part of the prosecution’s case against the substitute teacher.

Legal Proceedings and Defense Response

During Demetrius’s bond hearing, prosecutors requested a high bond amount, citing the serious nature of the allegations and her history of threatening behavior. Prosecutor Parker Schwartz specifically mentioned “possessive and controlling behavior” and noted that the defendant’s husband had previously obtained a protection order against her. Despite these concerns, Demetrius has been released on a $150,000 cash surety bond with specific conditions limiting her movements and contacts.

Demetrius’s public defender has denied the allegations, claiming that the charges are fabricated. During court proceedings, the defense emphasized that Demetrius is a mother of four children while requesting a reasonable bond amount. She has not yet entered a formal plea to the charge, with her preliminary hearing scheduled for April 11.

School Response and Community Impact

The Academy for Urban Scholars High School, where Demetrius worked, has not issued an official statement regarding the situation. While the criminal complaint did not specify Demetrius’s exact role at the high school, public records confirm she holds a substitute teaching license in Ohio. The case has sent shockwaves through the school community, raising serious questions about the hiring and supervision of school personnel who work closely with students.

This troubling case highlights the importance of parental vigilance in monitoring children’s communications and relationships, especially with authority figures. Had the student’s mother not discovered the incriminating messages and contacted authorities, the outcome could have been far more tragic. The preliminary hearing next week could reveal more details about this disturbing case that has shaken the Columbus educational community.