Cops say stabbing death followed fight over man

Cell phone calls were made before the fatal stabbing, police said.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The stabbing death of a 16-year-old girl by a young woman was the result of an argument over a man, police say.
Brittany Fuller, 2443 Swallow St. S.W., died early Sunday of a stab wound to the neck. The Trumbull County Coroner's Office ruled the death a homicide.
Ciera Limbeck, 18, of Elm Road N.E., is being held without bond in the Trumbull County Jail on a murder charge.
She was arraigned Tuesday before municipal Judge Thomas Gysegem. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:15 p.m. Sept. 13.
Detective Jeffrey Hoolihan, who is investigating the case with Sgt. Dan Hudak, said Limbeck was home Sunday while Fuller was staying overnight with a cousin at 2184 Peace Ave. N.W., which is part of an apartment complex.
Hoolihan explained that the investigation has revealed so far that Limbeck made cell phone calls to Fuller.
During one call, the detective said, Limbeck was trying to recover some cigarettes she had left in a vehicle. Another call centered around a discussion about a young man.
The two had known each other for some time, Hoolihan said.
Stabbed in the neck
He said Limbeck arrived at the Peace Avenue home with some other people. An argument broke out between Limbeck and Fuller, during which Limbeck pulled a folding knife with a 3-inch-long blade and stabbed Fuller in the neck.
She was pronounced dead at St. Joseph Health Center.
Police found the knife at the scene of the killing, Hoolihan said.
Friends drove Limbeck and her boyfriend, Aaron Staggers of Cleveland, to Cleveland, where they were taken into custody Monday with the help of Cleveland police.
Staggers, who was not the subject of the cell phone calls, is in a Cleveland-area jail on unrelated charges, said Hoolihan, who noted that the investigation into the homicide continues.
Second homicide
This is the second homicide in the city this year, compared with three for the same period in 2005.
Those who have any information concerning the homicide are asked to contact Hoolihan or Hudak, (330) 841-2723.
A flag for children who have met violent deaths in the county will be lowered at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in front of the county jail.
yovich@vindy.com