In the quiet hours before dawn on August 14, 2025, the close-knit community of Starkville, Mississippi, was rocked by a devastating act of violence. At approximately 12:57 a.m., the Starkville Police Department received a chilling call reporting a stabbing at a residence on Gladney Street. Officers rushed to the scene, but what they found was a tragedy that would leave an indelible mark on the town: 27-year-old Tykell Harvey, a Starkville native, lay lifeless, his life cut short by a brutal act.
The victim, identified as Tykell Harvey, was pronounced dead at the scene, his body bearing the wounds of a violent encounter. The loss of this young man, known to friends and family as a vibrant presence in the community, sent shockwaves through Starkville, a town unaccustomed to such stark reminders of mortality. As the sun rose over Gladney Street, the weight of grief settled over neighbors and loved ones, who gathered to mourn a life extinguished far too soon.
Following a swift and meticulous investigation, authorities zeroed in on a suspect: 28-year-old Amiya Brown, also a resident of Starkville. Brown, who was in a dating relationship with Harvey, now stands accused of a heinous crime that has shattered the lives of those who knew them both. Charged with first-degree murder, she was taken into custody and is currently being held at the Oktibbeha County Jail, awaiting the next steps in a legal process that will seek to unravel the circumstances of this heartbreaking incident.
The Starkville Police Department has made it clear that this case is far from closed. Investigators are piecing together the events leading up to that fateful night, and they are calling on the community to step forward with any information that could shed light on the tragedy. The department has provided multiple avenues for tips, including a direct line at 662-323-4131, the Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 800-530-7151, or anonymous submissions through their website. For those whose information leads to justice, Crime Stoppers may offer a cash reward—a small gesture in the face of such a profound loss.
This tragedy has cast a spotlight on a broader issue that plagues communities across the nation: domestic violence. National statistics paint a sobering picture, revealing that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men aged 18 and older in the United States have endured severe physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner. The Starkville Police Department is urging residents to remain vigilant, encouraging victims, their families, friends, and neighbors to report suspected abuse without hesitation. Resources and support services are available, and the department is steadfast in its commitment to protecting those in need and holding perpetrators accountable.
As the investigation continues, the Starkville community grapples with the void left by Tykell Harvey’s death. Friends and family remember him as more than a victim—a son, a friend, a person whose laughter and presence once brightened their days. Vigils and quiet moments of reflection have begun to emerge across the town, as residents come together to honor his memory and support one another in the face of grief.
The road to justice for Tykell Harvey is just beginning, and the Starkville Police Department remains resolute in its pursuit of truth. For now, the community holds its breath, united in sorrow but also in a shared determination to prevent such tragedies from defining their future. Anyone with information, no matter how small, is urged to come forward, as every detail could be a step toward healing and accountability in a town forever changed by one dark morning.
