Delaware man convicted of killing 17-year-old ex-girlfriend with metal baseball bat

EWARK, Del. (TCD) -- A 21-year-old man was found guilty of murder and other charges in connection with the 2020 death of a 17-year-old who was lured by her attackers with the false promise of getting ice cream with a friend.

On Thursday, Oct. 27, the Delaware Attorney General’s Office announced Noah Sharp was convicted of first-degree murder, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, and first-degree conspiracy for killing Madison Sparrow. His co-conspirator, Annika Stalczynski, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and first-degree conspiracy.

The Attorney General’s Office said Sharp faces a mandatory life sentence, while Stalczynski will be eligible for sentencing modifications after 30 years because she was also 17 years old when the crime occurred.

Sparrow was reported missing Oct. 2, 2020, after she was last seen that day at approximately 3:40 p.m. Delaware State Police issued a Gold Alert regarding her disappearance, then canceled it Oct. 5, 2020, after she was found deceased. On Oct. 6, 2020, Delaware State Police arrested Sharp and shared more information about Sparrow’s death.

According to State Police, Sparrow died from blunt force trauma injuries to her body, and after she was killed, she was reportedly transported to a "secluded wooded location."

The Newark Post reports on the day Sparrow disappeared, she was planning on getting ice cream with Stalczynski and buying a birthday present for her sister. Instead of an outing with her friend, Stalczynski and Sharp used a metal baseball bat to beat Sparrow.

Investigators reportedly found the baseball bat and other evidence in the woods.

Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings said in a statement, "This case has hung heavy on our community’s, and this office’s, hearts for the past two years. Prosecutors spend their careers steeped in the details of heinous crimes — I personally have seen virtually every horrific case in our state’s history. But the truth is that nothing can prepare you for something like this. The depravity of what these two defendants, whom the victim believed were her friends, did to young Madison is nearly beyond comprehension."

She continued, "I’m immensely proud of the prosecutors and police who led a successful criminal investigation and prosecution, and grateful to the jury for doing the right thing; but I am also keenly aware that for Madison’s family, friends, and community, closure is more elusive than justice. Madison was a daughter, a friend, and a wonderful person. Her loss is too great to measure, and everyone who knew and loved her is in my heart."

MORE:

• DOJ secures guilty verdicts in Madison Sparrow murder case - Delaware Attorney General's Office
• Gold Alert issued for Missing Newark Juvenile – Newark, 10/3/2020 - Delaware State Police
• *UPDATE* Gold Alert Cancelled for Missing Newark Juvenile- Newark, 10/5/2020 - Delaware State Police
• Delaware State Police Arrest Newark Man for Homicide of Missing Newark Teen- Newark, 10/6/2020 - Delaware State Police
• Ex-boyfriend convicted of killing Newark Charter student Madison Sparrow - Newark Post