In the early morning hours of October 4, 2016, the life of 23-year-old Jessica N. Champion was tragically cut short in a hotel room in Hazelwood, Missouri. A female, Champion, who was a resident of St. Peters, was discovered with a gunshot wound at the Days Inn located on North Hanley Road. Emergency services were called to the scene around 12:40 a.m. where they found her in critical condition.
Paramedics from the Hazelwood Fire Department worked to provide lifesaving medical aid before she was rushed to a nearby hospital, but her injuries proved to be fatal, and she was pronounced dead.
The investigation into the shooting quickly pointed to a suspect. Later that same day, Hazelwood Police arrested 25-year-old Blake Edgar in connection with the homicide. An investigation revealed that Edgar had a criminal history that included convictions for burglary and stealing, and he had admitted to being a drug user.
Following his arrest, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office filed charges against Blake Edgar. He was charged with second-degree murder, second-degree assault, and two counts of armed criminal action for his alleged role in Jessica Champion's death. A judge ordered him to be held on a $250,000 cash-only bond.
