Mean Girl Murders is investigating the murder of schoolgirl Danyna Gibson, who was stabbed to death by fellow student Tanaya Lewis in their school classroom in Warren, Michigan.
On September 12, 2017, 17-year-old Lewis took a steak knife from her kitchen into school and began arguing with 16-year-old Danyna. According to witnesses, Lewis chased Danyna around their classroom in front of a teacher and fellow students while stabbing her repeatedly in her back and chest.
Lewis was dragged from the classroom but managed to reenter, shouting, “I hope she dies,” before she was removed again. The killer was allegedly upset with Danyna’s interactions with her ex-boyfriend.
A school resource officer performed CPR on Danyna, and she was soon transported to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, she passed away a few hours later.
The staff and students at Warren’s Fitzgerald High School were left shocked by the incident. Both girls had been top students.
Danyna, a grade-A student, had engaged in multiple extracurricular activities, including track and the school’s engineering club. Her father, Preston Gibson, later said that his daughter intended to study computer engineering and was learning how to build robots.
Tanaya Lewis admitted to killing Danyna Gibson
Lewis pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and received a minimum of 27 years and a maximum of 60 years. Her plea condition meant she would receive a minimum of between 25 and 30 years instead of between 40 and 60 years.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelShe was a minor at the time of the murder, meaning the judge had to grant her the possibility of parole. If Lewis had been over 18, she would likely be serving a life sentence.
Lewis apologized for her actions, telling the sentencing court, “If I could take it back, I would. Through the years, I’ve sat and thought about that moment, that day. I have nightmares about it. And I accept the punishment. I accept whatever you do. I know no amount of apology can return the life in her. I’m so, so sorry.”
Danyna Gibson family were angry with Tanaya Lewis sentence
Danyna’s aunt, Christina Ford, read a statement on behalf of the family claiming they could not forgive Lewis. Ford said, “[We] can’t find in [our] heart to forgive you. You took a life that was so beautiful. All I ask is that the Lord have mercy on your soul.”
Preston Gibson lamented Lewis’s sentence and argued that the justice system had let down his daughter and the family.
Mean Girl Murders airs Mondays at 9/8c on Investigation Discovery.