An Ohio high school teacher is facing serious charges after allegedly attempting to hire a student to kill her husband, according to authorities.
Stephanie Demetrius, 44, of Columbus, has been charged with first-degree conspiracy. She allegedly approached a male student at the Academy for Urban Scholars High School and offered him $2,000 to murder her husband, Steven Demetrius. According to court records, she gave the student a $250 down payment to initiate the plot.
Demetrius has denied all allegations. Her public defender described the claims as “fabricated.”
Secretly Recorded Conversation Leads to Arrest
Columbus police say they accessed a recorded conversation between Demetrius and the student, in which she reportedly confirmed the remaining payment. The student’s mother discovered the messages on her son’s phone and alerted authorities.
“This particular teacher was attempting to groom this young person into committing murder,” a police spokesperson said.
Court records also reveal that Demetrius previously filed for divorce from her husband in 2017. That case was closed but was reopened in April 2024 and is currently ongoing. Investigators are still working to determine a possible motive.
School Responds Swiftly as Investigation Continues
In response to the incident, the Academy for Urban Scholars High School confirmed that Demetrius’s employment was immediately terminated.
“The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. We remain committed to maintaining a secure, focused learning environment where students can thrive academically and personally,” the school said in a statement.
Officials also confirmed that the student involved in the case will be offered counseling services.
Demetrius has been released on a $150,000 cash surety bond and is under a court order to avoid contact with the alleged target. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 11.
