Paige Nicole Calich, a 24-year-old White woman from Akron, Ohio, was a devoted and loving mother to her two young children, KaLiyah and Darelle. Known as a strong and independent person who worked as a manager at an Arby's, she was a friend to many and loved celebrating life's milestones. Her best friend described her as "everything" and "the best mother I know."
Paige’s family said she would be deeply missed.
On July 28, 2024, Paige was involved in a fight with a woman named Corvette Pope at the Summit Lake Apartments where she lived. Several hours later, around 12:30 a.m., Corvette and her brother, Denzel Pope, returned to Paige’s apartment on Socrates Place. According to the Summit County Prosecutor, when Paige walked out onto her porch, Denzel shot her with a shotgun. Her three-year-old son, who was with her on the porch, was not physically injured. Emergency services were called, and first responders found Paige in her doorway with a gunshot wound to her torso. She was rushed to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Akron police quickly identified the siblings as suspects. Corvette Pope, then 25, was arrested in Akron on July 30, 2024, after police received tips from the community. Her brother, Denzel Pope, then 19, fled the state but was apprehended in Chicago on July 31. He was later extradited back to Akron to face charges. Investigators used security camera footage, text messages exchanged between the brother and sister, and witness testimony to connect them to the killing.
In May 2025, Corvette Pope pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and obstructing justice for her role in Paige’s death. On August 11, 2025, a judge sentenced her to serve five to 7.5 years in prison.
Denzel Pope’s case went to trial. On August 8, 2025, a jury found him guilty on multiple charges, including two counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault, and having weapons while under disability. On August 15, 2025, Denzel Pope was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.
