Man accused of killing girlfriend in Newark now charged with murder

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Charges were upgraded Thursday for a man accused of killing his girlfriend in Newark.

According to documents just obtained Thursday afternoon, from the Licking County Common Pleas Court, 22-year-old Andrew Hoskinson is now charged with murder, aggravated murder and strangulation.

Hoskinson is accused of killing his girlfriend, 21-year-old Tala Smith, this month.

ALSO | Family 'devastated' following 21-year-old woman's death

Newark police said "an incident occurred" near the Manning Street Bridge that stretches over the Licking River on March 17. And according to a 911 call released Monday, it appeared that Hoskinson, following that incident, went to his father's house on Eddy Street for help. His father called 911, but Hoskinson himself got on the call a moment later.

"Me and my girlfriend were arguing, and I went to the bridge, and I was gonna jump off the bridge, and she passed out," Hoskinson told the 911 dispatcher. "And I brought her to my car, and I'm scared. She hit her head a bunch."

The dispatcher tried to instruct Hoskinson, his father, and his father's girlfriend on how to help Smith. Officers arrived a short time later at the home on Eddy Street, where they found "a female not breathing with obvious signs of trauma from a suspected assault," according to their report.

"Officers observed numerous contusions and abrasions in various stages of healing. Some of these appeared to have been recently caused," the report continued.

In newer documents obtained Tuesday, another officer wrote that Hoskinson told him he "went towards the edge of the bridge and (redacted) followed him. He advised he then went back to the car, that (redacted) continued to chase after him but she fell and struck her head."

Smith was rushed to a hospital following that incident, and died six days later.

Her father, David Tolbert, told ABC 6 over the weekend that their family is devastated.

"Talabama was our nickname for her," he said. "It is the worst day of our lives so far. We lost our sweet girl last night at 6:19 p.m. We were able to donate her organs to save others' lives. What we have been told so far is that at least four people would be saved from this horrific situation. Tala was a very outgoing person. Her passion was drawing, and she loved her cat and Pokemon."

A GoFundMe has been established to help the family with funeral expenses.

If you or someone you know is dealing with instances of domestic violence, there's always someone to talk to. The domestic violence hotline number is 1-800-799-7233.

Smith was being held on $1.5 million bond after initially being charged with attempted murder, strangulation and domestic violence. It's unclear if that amount will change in light of the upgraded charges.