Westerville Police are investigating a fatal homicide involving a man who stabbed his ex-girlfriend to death, according to reports.
Westerville Police Chief Holly Murchland said a woman walked into the Kettering police station near Dayton and said her father, Tyrone Lauderdale, had just called her and admitted to having stabbed Ranae Baxter to death in her home on Kanpur Place in Westerville on Friday morning, The Columbus Dispatch reported.
Police officers went to the reported crime scene and found her body, but could not determine what weapon was used in the stabbing. They found three people in the house: two adults and one minor—very likely, her daughters.
Later that day, Lauderdale, 42, turned himself in at the Montgomery County Jail. Police took him into custody at the Dayton Police Department. Lauderdale is charged with one count of murder in the death of Baxter, 44, according to the outlet.
Lauderdale and Baxter were in a romantic relationship at one point, Murchland said. Later their relationship turned for the worse, with Lauderdale stalking and threatening Baxter, to such an extent that she had applied to the courts for a protection order, which has been in effect since July last year.
However, Lauderdale repeatedly violated the order and was arrested on charges of domestic violence and violating the protection order.
According to a testimony filed in Franklin County Municipal Court, Baxter’s daughters called the police claiming Lauderdale had been calling, texting, and showing up at her doorstep several times, making threats about waiting for her at home to “get her” and to “get his revenge.”
So much so that Baxter was afraid to come home until police arrived. A responding officer confirmed during his interview with her that Baxter received about 40 calls from Lauderdale.
The domestic violence charges were dismissed, but the violation of the protection order was granted, and Lauderdale was put on probation and fined $250.
Houston Woman Begged For Her Life Before Being Stabbed to Death
Texas police have revealed disturbing new details in the case of a 75-year-old Houston woman found stabbed to death in her own home.
Investigators cited by KTRK said 19-year-old Marco Cobos admitted to killing the elderly woman on May 20 and said that she pleaded for her life as he stabbed her to death.
Cobos also reportedly told detectives he left the slain woman’s home with some stolen cash, went to a store to buy food, and returned to the crime scene to eat.
The suspect, who is said to be homeless, was arrested Monday and charged with capital murder.
Etta Nugent was at her home on the 8100 block of Neff Street, according to the Houston Chronicle, when she was approached by Cobos who asked for help with his truck.
According to KHOU, police said she was unable to assist Cobos because of her age.
He then allegedly forced his way into her home and stabbed her to death.
Investigators cited by KTRK said Cobos then took about $560 from Nugent’s home and drove her car to the store to buy food and supplies.
HPD Homicide investigators at the scene of an apparent murder in the 8100 block of Neff Street (Southwest Houston). Preliminary information is a female was found deceased inside a residence about 1:30 p.m. No other information available at this time. #hounews
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) May 20, 2019
After returning from the store, he lingered at the crime scene for several hours, according to the report.
It is unclear under what circumstances police arrested Cobos, but Houston police said in a tweet shortly before 7 p.m. that “homicide investigators are on scene and are questioning a possible suspect.”
Police also said that “preliminary information is a female was found deceased inside a residence about 1:30 p.m.”
The Chronicle reported Cobos was arrested several doors down from Nugent’s home.
Neighbors told the publication the victim is survived by three children and six grandchildren.
Epoch Times reporter Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.
