Deadly Salisbury stabbing details emerge
SALISBURY, Md. – Sunday’s deadly stabbing in Salisbury has left families and the entire community devastated, as they wonder what led up to such a tragic situation. On Tuesday, 47 ABC got a hold of the charging documents that were filed the night Seth Abbey was murdered.
The documents include a timeline of events from Abbey’s girlfriend, one of the juvenile suspects and one of Cobey Mishler’s friends who was not at the crime scene. Here are a three takeaways: the murder weapon was found at Parkside High School, Abbey reportedly punched one of the younger suspects before he was stabbed and Mishler did try to disguise himself so that police wouldn’t find him.
“We didn’t just deal with one crime scene. We had a multitude of crime scenes. Where the evidence was found. Where the victim was. Where the suspects were, their residence,” says Lt. Christopher Davala, the barrack commander for the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack.
Maryland State Police is shedding light on details in the charging documents for Sunday’s fatal stabbing that ended the life of 18-year-old Seth Abbey.
“Within eight hours, the juveniles that were involved in the altercation were in custody and being interviewed,” says Lt. Davala. It’s those interviews that could help investigators. First in line: Abbey’s girlfriend. “She is plain and simply the victim and complainant in this case,” says Lt. Davala.
Abbey’s girlfriend tells police, Abbey’s car broke down Sunday night so she got out and started to walk near the Parkwood Apartments. That’s when three people, riding bikes, went up to her. Police say she correctly identified two of those three people after her boyfriend was murdered. “We were able to present a lineup to the victim and she positively identified two of the three suspects that we were seeking through out the 12 hour period,” says Lt. Davala.
She reportedly told police one of the suspects was putting his Snapchat information into her phone, when not long after Abbey got into an argument with them. He was stabbed twice: once in the upper chest and once on his left side. But police also interviewed that suspect, who says Abbey started punching him in the head after he put his Snapchat information into her phone. He then told police Mishler stabbed Abbey and they ran toward Parkside High School with the knife.
“The knife was found on school property. The school board was aware. The idea was to get this property the evidence recovered as soon as possible before the kids show up for school,” says Lt. Davala. The third person interviewed in the charging documents was a friend, who was not at the crime scene. But he did tell investigators that Mishler went to his house after the stabbing and reportedly told him he was going to cut his hair and change his clothes. “Even though you may change your appearance, try to make yourself disappear, it is very difficult especially in a small community such as ours,” says Lt. Davala.
A few hours later, Mishler was arrested on Monday around 5 p.m. “Closing a case such as this in less than 12 hours is just phenomenal,” says Lt. Davala.
Cobey Mishler is set to appear in front of a judge on Wednesday for a review of the charges, case and the bond which there is none right now. The judge will determine whether or not Mishler can be released.
Police tell 47 ABC, the Wicomico County State’s Attorney will decide whether the two juvenile suspects will be charged. And if they are charged, whether they will be tried as adults.
They add that this investigation is not over. So if you have any information you think might help investigators, you’re asked to call the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack at 410-749-3101.
