Man Indicted in Stabbing Death of Mother

     Oct. 28, 2021 – A grand jury has indicted a Frayser man in the stabbing death of his mother and the critical wounding of his stepfather during an argument earlier this year in their home, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich. 

    Keenon Owens, 28, was indicted on counts of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. He is being held in the Shelby County Jail. 

   Investigators said the incident occurred around 2 a.m. on March 13, 2021, at the family residence in the 3300 block of Denver Street when Owens got into an argument with his 52-year-old mother, Sarah Nailor. 

    His stepfather, Larry Nailor, 56, intervened and the argument escalated into an altercation, with Owens then pulling a knife. Sarah Nailor got between the two men in an effort to stop the fight, but she was stabbed in the side by Owens and died at the scene.  

   Owens also stabbed Larry Nailor in the side and in the head, causing serious life-threatening injuries. He was hospitalized in critical condition, but survived. 

    Owens was taken into custody and later gave police a statement of admission.

   The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Meghan Fowler of the District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit 7 which seeks maximum sentencing for repeat felony offenders.