15 Year Old Charged With Murder Pleads Not Guilty

The fifteen year old accused of beating and stabbing his grandmother to death pleads not guilty at a preliminary hearing.

Ethan Welch was arrested Monday morning after Police say he murdered his grandmother, 59 year old Brenda Cook, late Sunday night.

Investigators say the suspect’s sixteen year old brother discovered the body of his grandmother in a shed in the back yard. Police say Cook’s body was bruised and there were stab wounds to her throat. Police say Welch did admit to stabbing and beating his grandmother, but he maintains it was all accidental.

It happened at 1921 Avalon Road. Investigators say Ethan Welch and his half brother had been playing video games off and on all Sunday long.

Police say Brenda Cook went outside around 9:30 PM to work in the shed in the backyard. Sometime after that, investigators say fifteen year old Welch stabbed his grandmother with a steak knife.

Ethan Welch’s paternal grandfather Bennie Welch tells us he still can’t understand what happened, “He was one of the greatest kids I’ve ever seen in my life. In 15 years I’ve never seen him raise his voice to anything, not even the dog.”

His paternal grandmother Gail Stewart says, “I don’t know if he was trying to cover for someone. I don’t know if he just snapped, but he’s always been a good loving helpful child.“

Investigators say they were tipped off during questioning when the suspect said his teeth marks may appear on the victim’s hands. They also said there was blood on his clothing.

Investigators say Welch would not give them a reason for the altercation.

Brenda Cook and her husband have custody of both Ethan Welch and his sixteen year old half brother. The boys’ mother and other grandparents live near by in Columbus.