Man charged with murder of 16-year-old girl in Vestal

6/14/2012 (Updated 10:55:41 PM)

VESTAL -- A 19-year old man was charged with murder Thursday in the killing of a 16-year-old girl.

What started out as an investigation into a suspicious death Thursday morning has turned into an arrest.  It began with the discovery of an unresponsive female at a house at 199 Westland Road in the Town of Vestal.

Thursday morning,  after a 911 call was made at 4:39AM, the victim was transported to Wilson Hospital where she was pronounced dead a short time later.

She was identified as 16-year-old Shelby Jenkins, of Vestal.

Later, 19-year-old Steven Lipka, who lives at 199 Westland Road where the incident happened, is accused of killing Jenkins.

Sgt. Christopher Streno of the Vestal Police Department tells FOX 40 the two had a personal relationship. 

Lipka is charged with Second Degree Murder and is being held in the Broome County Jail.