photo courtesy of Columbia Police Department
Jason Shackelford, a 39-year-old Pennsylvanian man, has been charged with raping and killing the 12-year-old daughter of his ex-girlfriend after police found her body stored in a basement freezer. On February 10, the young girl’s body was found inside his home, and Shackelford has since confessed to the crimes and was charged with criminal homicide on top of initial indecent charges.
According to the Lancaster County DA’s office, Shakelford confessed to the crimes after breaking up with his now ex-girlfriend, Tiffany Smith, and arguing with her about moving out of the house. Smith reported that her daughter was missing when she got off work two nights before the discovery of the body. At that point, officials said that Shakelford had kidnapped Smith and assaulted her multiple times after taking her to the Wyndham Lancaster Hotel on Lincoln Highway East.
She managed to escape and alert the hotel staff to call the police, and they responded to the domestic disturbance. Investigators found Elaina’s body soon after upon detaining Shakelford and searching his Columbia home. She’d been deceased since the evening of February 8 after she was killed in her own home.
A friend of the grieving family has posted a GoFundMe with a goal of $50,000. It’s since raised $18,000, and the fundraiser’s description reads, “Hi, my name is Shelley. I created this GoFundMe account for my friend Tiffany in her time of need. As most of you know, Tiffany and Dwayne’s daughter, Elaina, was taken from this world by the hands of a deranged and sick individual. I have no idea how to help other than create this fund page to release the financial burdens life offers while they grieve and begin to heal from this tragedy.”
“Elaina’s Memorial Service will be held on February 25th at 1:00 pm. The location will be Lampeter UMC, 1651 Book Road, Lancaster, PA 17602. I cannot fathom a loss like this. Please find it in your hearts to donate to this family. Anything helps.”