HARLAN COUNTY, KY - A man in his thirties has been arrested after police said he stabbed his girlfriend to death at their home.
The alleged suspect, 36-year-old Michael Howard, is being held at the Harlan County Detention Center on a $1 million cash bail after he was charged with murder and several traffic-related offenses, Law & Crime reported. Kentucky State Police (KSP) responded to a call about a stabbing at a home in Pathfork on Saturday evening.
Upon arriving at the scene, they found 50-year-old Mary Clayborn with several stab wounds. According to police, Howard and Clayborn were in a romantic relationship.
KSP Trooper Shane Jacobs said that Clayborn had "multiple stab wounds" to her chest and neck when first responders arrived at 6:57 p.m. Troopers attempted to control her bleeding at the scene before emergency medical personnel arrived. Clayborn was initially transported to Harlan ARH Hospital, and medical staff planned to have her airlifted to a larger hospital.
Unfortunately, Clayborn succumbed to her wounds before she could be moved. Her body is now at the State Medical Examiner's Office, where it will undergo an autopsy.
"We know that this was a domestic violence situation between a boyfriend and girlfriend that happened inside their residence in Harlan County,” Jacobs said. “Domestic violence situations are one of the most dangerous and unpredictable events for law enforcement to respond to."
Jacobs said a case like this is rare for this part of eastern Kentucky and tough on all involved, WYMT reported. "This was a very horrible incident that occurred Saturday night here in Harlan County. It’s not something that we’re used to,” Jacobs said. “Our hearts and our thoughts are with the families. And this did not have to happen."
Jacobs said he hopes this tragedy pushes others in dangerous relationships to reach out for help. "We don’t want people who are affected by domestic violence to feel like they’re trapped. There are resources out there,” Jacobs said. “You tell a trooper; we will transport you from that situation to a shelter. We want to be able to get you help, but you’ve got to ask for that help."
Howard was arrested without incident, according to Jacobs. Charges listed on online jail records showed that he was charged with resisting arrest. In addition to murder, Howard is also charged with disregarding a stop sign, operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, theft by unlawful taking, and three counts of failure to appear.
Details about Howard's arrest were not made available. His next court date is scheduled for May 22.
The alleged suspect, 36-year-old Michael Howard, is being held at the Harlan County Detention Center on a $1 million cash bail after he was charged with murder and several traffic-related offenses, Law & Crime reported. Kentucky State Police (KSP) responded to a call about a stabbing at a home in Pathfork on Saturday evening.
Upon arriving at the scene, they found 50-year-old Mary Clayborn with several stab wounds. According to police, Howard and Clayborn were in a romantic relationship.
KSP Trooper Shane Jacobs said that Clayborn had "multiple stab wounds" to her chest and neck when first responders arrived at 6:57 p.m. Troopers attempted to control her bleeding at the scene before emergency medical personnel arrived. Clayborn was initially transported to Harlan ARH Hospital, and medical staff planned to have her airlifted to a larger hospital.
Unfortunately, Clayborn succumbed to her wounds before she could be moved. Her body is now at the State Medical Examiner's Office, where it will undergo an autopsy.
"We know that this was a domestic violence situation between a boyfriend and girlfriend that happened inside their residence in Harlan County,” Jacobs said. “Domestic violence situations are one of the most dangerous and unpredictable events for law enforcement to respond to."
Jacobs said a case like this is rare for this part of eastern Kentucky and tough on all involved, WYMT reported. "This was a very horrible incident that occurred Saturday night here in Harlan County. It’s not something that we’re used to,” Jacobs said. “Our hearts and our thoughts are with the families. And this did not have to happen."
Jacobs said he hopes this tragedy pushes others in dangerous relationships to reach out for help. "We don’t want people who are affected by domestic violence to feel like they’re trapped. There are resources out there,” Jacobs said. “You tell a trooper; we will transport you from that situation to a shelter. We want to be able to get you help, but you’ve got to ask for that help."
Howard was arrested without incident, according to Jacobs. Charges listed on online jail records showed that he was charged with resisting arrest. In addition to murder, Howard is also charged with disregarding a stop sign, operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, theft by unlawful taking, and three counts of failure to appear.
Details about Howard's arrest were not made available. His next court date is scheduled for May 22.
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