Fort Worth woman killed in apartment; 21-year-old arrested after alleged confession, affidavit says

Early-morning stabbing in Oakland Hills Drive apartment leaves woman dead

Fort Worth police arrested a 21-year-old man early Sunday after an apparent confession to fatally stabbing a relative, according to an arrest warrant affidavit released by investigators. Officers were dispatched about 2:45 a.m. to a home in the 600 block of Oakland Hills Drive after receiving a tip that a man had confessed to stabbing someone.

Authorities said a friend of the suspect called police to report the confession. The friend told officers he had driven the man to an area off E. Lancaster Avenue and, as the man exited the vehicle, the suspect said in Spanish that he had stabbed his cousin and made a "cutting motion across his neck," the affidavit states. The caller initially believed the remark to be a joke but contacted police after returning home.

• Location: 600 block of Oakland Hills Drive
• Time of police dispatch: about 2:45 a.m.
• Apparent weapon found: large kitchen knife on counter
• Suspect detained: near a shopping center in the 4700 block of E. Lancaster Avenue

When officers entered the apartment, they found a woman lying on the floor in a back bedroom with multiple stab wounds. Firefighters provided aid, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene, the affidavit reported. Investigators also noted men's clothing on the bathroom floor that appeared to have blood on it, and a large knife located on the kitchen counter.

"He had told the caller in Spanish he had stabbed his cousin and made a cutting motion across his neck,"

Police subsequently located the 21-year-old outside a shopping center in the 4700 block of E. Lancaster Avenue after the suspect had called another friend for a ride. Officers observed what appeared to be blood on his shirt and recent injuries to his arms. He was taken into custody without incident, read his Miranda rights in Spanish and agreed to speak with detectives, according to the affidavit.

Suspect's account to detectives, and evidence collected

In the statement documented in the affidavit, the suspect told investigators he had arrived home about 3:30 a.m. Saturday, used crack cocaine and gone to bed. He told detectives that upon waking he retrieved a large knife, entered his cousin's bedroom and stabbed her in the back. He said she woke, rolled over and "begged him to stop", but he continued to stab her before showering, changing clothes and leaving the apartment.

Investigators collected the knife from the kitchen area and noted the clothing with apparent blood. The affidavit does not indicate the victim's name or age. As of Sunday night, the affidavit said it remained unclear whether the suspect was being held in the Tarrant County Jail.

How investigators and community can help

Homicide detectives are asking anyone with information about the case to contact the Fort Worth Police Department at 817-392-4330. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Tarrant County Crime Stoppers at 469tips.com or by calling 817-469-... as listed in the affidavit.

This violent death follows a string of other high-profile incidents that have drawn attention from residents and law enforcement in eastern Fort Worth neighborhoods. Detectives have not released the identities of the victim or the arrested man in the affidavit that was made public.

Authorities said the arrested man faces a murder charge. The Fort Worth community continues to seek information and answers as investigators work to establish a full timeline and motive. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact police to assist with the ongoing homicide investigation.