Written By JR Robinson

Shelby County, TN — The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the death of Sarah Lucas, who was being held in the Shelby County Jail and was scheduled for arraignment later this week. Lucas, extradited to Tennessee earlier this year, faced charges of facilitation of first-degree murder and perjury in the 2007 killing of Danny Harris.

Her death marks another tragic twist in a case that has spanned nearly two decades, revealing deep cracks in the original investigation and prosecution. Earlier this year, the DA’s Office publicly acknowledged that Andrew Hayes, long convicted for Harris’s murder, was in fact wrongfully convicted—and that evidence pointed instead to Lucas and her mother, Tammy Vance, who died in prison while serving her sentence for the same crime.

In a statement, the District Attorney’s Office said:

“Our office received word this morning from the Shelby County Jail that Sarah Lucas has died. She was set for arraignment this week and prosecutors were preparing her case for trial. Despite her passing, and due to the evidence collected by Stephen Harris, victim Danny Harris’ son, we do not anticipate that her passing should affect the exoneration of Andrew Hayes. We are grateful to Stephen Harris for his dedication to exposing the truth behind his father’s death.”

District Attorney Steve Mulroy also expressed condolences while reflecting on the broader impact of Lucas’ death.

“I’m sorry to hear Sarah Lucas Riedel has died, and I pray for all involved. Any death is a tragedy, but this one denies the family of Danny Harris a chance for closure and justice. It also denies Andrew Hayes, who we believe was wrongfully convicted, a chance for further proof of his innocence. While we won’t be able to prosecute Ms. Riedel, we will let the court know who we believe really killed Mr. Harris.”

Mulroy reaffirmed his office’s commitment to justice, emphasizing that the review and exoneration process for Hayes will continue. “Every case we handle must be guided by evidence, truth, and accountability,” the statement concluded.

The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office has not released further details about the circumstances of Lucas’ death, which remains under investigation.

Even with her passing, the case continues to echo through Shelby County—reminding many that justice delayed must not become justice denied.