School mourns classmate killed in a double murder in East Price Hill

CINCINNATI - A community and school are in mourning as they come to grips with losing a mother and her fifth grade daughter, who were both stabbed to death in East Price Hill Wednesday morning.

The tragedy hits especially hitting hard at Oyler School, where 12-year-old Stephanie Smith had been looking forward to summer vacation.

The hallways inside what was the temporary Oyler School on Grand Avenue in Price Hill were silent Wednesday night. Earlier, the school had a very subdued last day of school for the year.
        
Even though school is out, Oyler intends to continue to support and comfort the Smith family.

Stephanie Smith and her mother, Nichole Smith, 39, are well remembered at Oyler. Stephanie was the youngest in her family to attend the school.

"She was a classic Oyler student. You know, madly in love with her teachers. Followed them around. Had a lot of friends. Rarely got in trouble. Just a great kid," said Oyler Principal Craig Hockenberry.

Hockenberry watched Stephanie grow up from kindergarten to fifth grade.

"I can remember all of the Smiths, when they were little kids and then watched them all grow up. Had visions of handing her a diploma when she was a senior," said Hockenberry.

Cincinnati police released the 911 call they got from Brian Everett, the man now charged with killing Stephanie and her mother.

Everett: A friend attacked me and her daughter came in, she was swinging the knife and I got to swinging the knife.

Dispatcher: Did you get stabbed?

Everett: They both down

Dispatcher: You stabbed them?

Everett: Come on Stephanie, come on Stephanie.

Dispatcher: Did you stab them?

Everett: "She, they tried to stab me."

Dispatcher: Okay and then you stabbed her back.

Everett: I mean, you know, I was drunk and we was just....

Dispatcher: Did you stab her? Yes or no, is that what you're trying to say sir, yes.

Everett: Yes.

The school is doing what it can to help the Smith family. It's already sent food to the family from the Free Store Food Bank.

"We have a lot of grief counselors on hand at school. We have a remarkable relationship with St. Aloysius. We have several therapists there, so we immediately were able to dispatch therapists for both students who were at school, as well as the staff, who were very very shaken up and family if needed," said Hockenberry.

Hockenberry says he and his teachers are working with the family to plan and raise funds for funerals for Nichole and Stephanie.

Everett will be in court Thursday morning facing his first hearing on double murder charges.

Stay with 9 News and WCPO.com for coverage of the hearing.