Woman fatally stabbed in Opelika overnight; suspect arrested for murder
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UPDATE 2 (11:05 P.M. EST on July 13, 2025):On 07/13/2025, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Tempest Vanshay Reese turned herself in at the Opelika Police Department. She was arrested for murder and taken to the Lee County Justice Center.
UPDATE 1 (11:35 A.M. EST on July 13, 2025): Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton has identified the fatal stabbing victim as 22-year-old Janiah Thomas. Ms. Thomas’ body will be transported to Montgomery for a postmortem examination.
NEWS REPORT: The Opelika Police Department is actively investigating a fatal assault that occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Officers responded to a call at approximately 12:30 a.m. in the 600 block of Comanchee Drive, where they discovered a crashed vehicle and a female driver suffering from multiple stab wounds.
The victim was immediately transported to East Alabama Medical Center for emergency treatment but succumbed to her injuries a short time later.
Following a preliminary investigation, authorities identified 35-year-old Tempest Vanshay Reese as a suspect in the case. Reese is now wanted on charges of murder.
Police are urging anyone with information regarding this incident or the whereabouts of Tempest Reese to contact the Opelika Police Department’s Detective Division at (334) 705-5220. Anonymous tips can also be submitted via the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 745-8665 or through the Opelika Police Mobile App.
The investigation is ongoing.
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