NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — The third suspect in connection to the murder of beloved 17-year-old Asia Cowell entered a guilty plea earlier this month.
Dazha Feaster signed a guilty plea agreement to first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, abduction, obstruction of justice and use of a firearm. At the time of the crimes, Feaster was 17 years old. She is now 22 years old.
Asia Cowell, a Granby High School Senior, entrepreneur and hair stylist, was reported missing in September of 2020, several months after she pressed rape charges against her ex-boyfriend in May.
Court documents obtained by WAVY-TV Investigations show Cowell’s ex-boyfriend is Dazha Feaster’s brother.
A Newport News Police investigation revealed Cowell was scheduled to testify against her ex-boyfriend. However, Feaster along with two adults Crystal and Devin Albritton, planned to kill the teen to prevent her from testifying.
The three kidnapped Cowell in Norfolk, drove her to the Fort Eustis area of Newport News at gunpoint, then shot and killed her in a wooded area.
The Albritton couple were both convicted of murder late 2024. Feaster is the final suspect in the case.
Tatina Cowell, Asia’s Aunt, hopes her niece’s story will help other teens navigate dating violence, sharing heartbreaking details about the case in the ‘Break the Cycle’ series.
“She was supposed to graduate that year. They took it. They took it and they took you so carelessly. And for what? For something that they didn’t even know the back story,” she said in an October interview. “It’s been a lot it kind of process and honestly, it never made sense to us and there is a hole and void that would never be filled.”
Feaster is expected to be sentenced in February of 2025.
10 On Your Side will continue to follow this story.