Police in Howard County, Maryland, have charged a 34-year-old man who allegedly stabbed and killed his fiancée just days after their engagement.
Per WBAL-TV, Howard County police alleged that the suspect, identified as Rondale Dickerson, 34, fatally stabbed his fiancée, Shelaya Broadwater, 44, in her Ellicott City apartment on September 18.
Broadwater’s 14-year-old son is said to have found her body, and he ultimately called 911 to report the incident.
“Your caller is going to be 14 years old advising that they found their mom deceased, also advising that there is blood everywhere,” an officer reportedly said over police radio.
Dickerson is said to have made his way to Broadwater’s apartment in the early hours of Thursday, September 18, after the victim got angry with him. Broadwater’s son informed officials that Dickerson forced his way into the apartment.
Authorities said that Dickerson fled the scene after he stabbed and killed Broadwater. Police said they later located Dickerson at a nearby Walmart, and he ultimately admitted to the crime.
Police said that Dickerson was not wearing a shirt and had sustained gashes and cuts at the time he was taken into custody. Prosecutors informed the judge that it indicated a sign of a struggle, WBAL-TV reported.
Police, in a statement, said that Dickerson has since been charged with first and second-degree murder, assault, and home invasion.
“Detectives learned that Dickerson and Broadwater were recently engaged,” the statement added. “The motive remains unknown and the investigation is ongoing.”
Dickerson appeared before a judge on Monday, and his demeanor was described as seemingly calm, though police said that was not the case when he was arrested. Prosecutors also described the stabbing as brutal, vicious, and full of rage, adding that Dickerson is a dangerous person because of his actions and the aggression he applied when committing the crime.
The judge ultimately sided with prosecutors and denied the 34-year-old suspect bail because he posed a flight risk.
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