Boyfriend Suspected In Gateway Cheerleader's Stabbing Death

A local teen is in critical condition after he allegedly stabbed his girlfriend to death and then tried to take his own life on Wednesday.

Police found 16-year-old Demi Cuccia barely alive outside her home along Elliott Road in Monroeville just after 8 p.m.

Police said the Gateway cheerleader was attacked by her boyfriend, John Mullarkey, who was found nearby.

Both had knife wounds and were rushed to the hospital.

Monroeville Police Chief George Polnar said, "At the hospital there was some admissions, gestures, what not, that we strongly believe that he was the one that stabbed her and then subsequently tried to take his own life."

Both Cuccia and Mullarkey attended Gateway High School.

Mullarkey is listed in critical condition.

Gateway School District Superintendent Dr. Cleveland Steward Jr. Releases Statement

I speak for the entire Gateway Community when I say how shocked and deeply saddened we are by this terrible tragedy. I wish to express my deepest sympathies to everyone affected by this event. Their wellbeing is in our hearts and in our prayers and I want them to know that we stand willing to assist them in any way that we can.

As a school district, our first priority today is to provide support for the students affected by this tragedy. Counseling services are now available for any members of the Gateway community who need help to deal with their feelings of grief, shock and confusion.

Grief counseling centers will be available at Gateway High School, Gateway Middle School and Moss Side Middle School in Monroeville from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and tomorrow. Counseling centers will also be available Monday through Thursday of next week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Counselors will also be available for parents to help them talk with their children about this tragedy.

If additional times or locations are necessary, information will be posted on the district's website at www.gatewayk12.org.

At this point, we do not know the circumstances surrounding this incident. The investigation into this tragedy is being conducted by local law enforcement authorities. At this time, it would not be appropriate for the District to comment on the investigation or provide additional information on the young people involved.

Previous Stories: August 15, 2007: Monroeville Teen Killed In Murder-Attempted Suicide