No Charges Expected After Domestic Dispute Ends in Death

A domestic dispute ended in tragedy Thursday when anger got the better of reason, leaving one partner dead and another seriously injured and hospitalized. According to a statement issued by the Lake Wales Police Department, the two individuals had been in a relationship for ten years.

The argument, details of which remain undisclosed, began around 4:45, according to police, when the male partner allegedly struck his companion in the face. She retreated into her residence in the 100 block of West Sessoms Avenue to retrieve her telephone with the intention of calling the police, according to the report.

After finding the phone battery was dead, she reportedly set it to recharge and, believing that her partner had left the area, exited the home to retrieve personal belongings from her vehicle. As a precaution she reportedly armed herself with a knife.

According to investigators, "the suspect approached her and struck her over the head with a machete, at which point she used the knife to defend herself, fatally injuring him and subsequently dropping the weapon."

Her partner "then armed himself with the same knife and stabbed her in the back, leaving the weapon lodged in her." He then collapsed in the courtyard of the apartment, where he was later pronounced dead.

The victim was transported to a local hospital where she is being treated for her injuries and is currently in stable condition.

Detectives have been in communication with the State Attorney's Office and report that, based on the evidence obtained so far, the incident appears to be a case of self-defense so no criminal charges are anticipated. Due to Marci's Law, the names of the those involved cannot be released.

The Lake Wales Police Department investigation into the incident remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact the Lake Wales Police Department.

If you have any information regarding this crime, please contact Lake Wales Police at 863-678-4223. If you would like to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward through Heartland Crime Stoppers, you can call 1-888-400-TIPS (8477) or dial **TIPS from your cell phone.

You can also visit the website http://www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on "Submit a Tip", or download the free "P3tips" app on your smartphone or tablet to submit a tip.