Terri Niner is now charged with murder after allegedly plunging a collectible short sword into her daughter’s back during an argument and then blaming the victim.

Argument Turns Fatal over “Dumb Stuff”

July 14, 2025: Authorities in Canton, Ohio say 49-year-old Terri Niner fatally stabbed her 32-year-old daughter Ayla Mangan on July 10, during what began as a verbal dispute—dismissed by Niner as “over some dumb stuff.” According to police, Niner grabbed a collectible short sword from her husband’s display and plunged it into Mangan’s back, causing a fatal wound. Mangan, who was autistic and reportedly functioning at a developmental level similar to a teenager, died shortly afterward.

Conflicting Narratives and 911 Claims

In an emergency call, Niner told dispatchers that her daughter had been playing with a knife and that she “grabbed the knife from her.” She claimed the daughter fell backward on it—stating,

“she went to throw herself backwards… and I thought it only cut her a little bit.”

When questioned if she had cut her daughter, Niner insisted she had not, relying on an account of accidental injury rather than a deliberate stabbing.

Family Involvement and Charges Filed

Police documents indicate the sword belonged to Ayla’s stepfather, Francis Niner, who reportedly kept it on a wall as part of a collection. Authorities have also charged Francis Niner with obstruction of justice, alleging he withheld information from investigators in an attempt to protect his wife.

 Community Reacts, Victim Remembered

Neighbors described Ayla as helpful and kind, often seen sweeping sidewalks or cleaning windows—never witnessing tension within the household until the tragedy.

The case has sparked shock across Canton and raised questions about how misunderstandings and alleged minimization of violence can end in a devastating outcome.

Final Take

What began as a domestic argument escalated into fatal violence when alleged anger overcame restraint. The case now hinges on whether Terri Niner’s account of an accident aligns with forensic evidence and witness testimony. With both parents charged, the investigation into Ayla Mangan’s death has ripped open painful layers of family trauma and loss.