A Zimbabwean man has been charged in the United States after allegedly stabbing his wife nearly 30 times before abducting their six-year-old daughter, promptin...
A Zimbabwean man has been charged in the United States after allegedly stabbing his wife nearly 30 times before abducting their six-year-old daughter, prompting an AMBER Alert across the state of Missouri. The child was later found safe, while the suspect was arrested in neighbouring Illinois.
Munyaradzi Chiturumani, 36, is facing charges of first-degree domestic assault, armed criminal action and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Court records show he is being held on a cash-only bond of US$500,000 pending further legal proceedings.
According to police, the incident came to light after neighbours called emergency services upon hearing a woman screaming from a balcony. The caller reported hearing her shout that she was going to die, prompting officers to respond to the scene.
Advertisement
When police arrived, they found the woman with nearly 30 stab wounds. Despite the seriousness of her injuries, investigators said she was able to tell officers that Chiturumani had threatened to kill their six-year-old daughter before leaving the home with the child.
During their investigation, detectives recovered two bloodstained knives from the residence. The items were collected as part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged attack.
Authorities immediately launched a search for the missing child, issuing an AMBER Alert across Missouri. The alert was intended to assist law enforcement agencies and the public in locating the girl as quickly as possible.
Police later found the six-year-old safe in St. Louis City after Chiturumani’s abandoned vehicle was discovered in Frontenac. Investigators continued searching for the suspect following the discovery of the vehicle.
Law enforcement officers later arrested Chiturumani at a motel in Caseyville, Illinois. Investigators believe he had attempted to take his own life before officers arrived at the motel, although authorities have not released further details about the circumstances surrounding his arrest.
The victim remains in a stable condition in hospital as she continues to receive medical treatment. Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the alleged attack, and investigations remain ongoing.
Chiturumani is expected to appear in court on Thursday, where he will answer to the charges filed against him. The case remains before the courts, and the allegations against him have yet to be tested during legal proceedings.
