Sunday, July 1, 2012

Ayden, NC: UPDATE: Suspect arrested in Greenville stabbing death

AYDEN, N.C. -- Greenville Police tell 9 On Your Side they've arrested 24-year-old Max Tejada for the stabbing death of 32-year-old Hope Cutler.

Our crew was there as police brought him in. We're told Greenville Police, U.S. Marshal Service, state SBI and the Pitt County Sheriff's Office assisted in the arrest. Tejada was arrested in Ayden.

Police say the stabbing happened around 7:30 Tuesday night at the Sedgefield Apartments on Concord Drive in Greenville.

Investigators say an argument broke out between Tejada and Cutler in the parking lot. When Cutler took out her cell phone to use it, witnesses say he took the cell phone, threw it, then stabbed Cutler. The suspect then walked away.

---Previous Story---

WASHINGTON, N.C. - Friends and family gathered to remember a murdered woman.

The funeral for 32-year-old Hope Cutler was at a church in Washington earlier this afternoon.

Investigators say she was stabbed at a Greenville apartment complex after an argument earlier this week.

Police are still looking for her suspected killer, 24-year-old Max Tejada.

If you know where he is, call police right away.

--- Previous Story ---

GREENVILLE,N.C.(WNCT) - Some of the same community members who witnessed a brutal murder, gathered to together to honor the life of the woman who was killed.

Greenville police are still looking for the man they say stabbed Hope Cutler multiple times after an argument.

The residents in the Sedge-Field Apartments, where Cutler was stabbed, organized a candlelight vigil for her.

Hearts were heavy, but the unity between those who came to honor the life of Hope Cutler was strong. Friends, family and those who only knew her name all came together pay their respects.

"She didn't deserve it regardless of what it was that kind of stabbing repeatedly, repeatedly nobody deserves that,” said Tracey Spencer, a witness to the attack and one of the neighbors who organized the vigil.

On Tuesday night police say Hope and her boy friend Max Tejada got an argument, and then he stabbed her multiple times.

"She was like ah he's stabbing me, he's stabbing me. She ran, she fell in the parking lot and when she fell, he stood over her, grabbed her legs, started stabbing her again,” said one witness.

And some of the same witnesses to the brutal murder wanted to put together this vigil in Hope’s honor.

"To let them know they do have some people that care and is praying for the family,” said Spencer.

"She fought and she did not give up and that's what I want people to know, that we are a good community we are not a bad community and we do stick up for one another,” said Tammy Suggs, who also witnessed the attack and helped set up the vigil.

For Hope's family, it was a sign of love they never expected.

“How much I appreciate these people and how much it's blessed my heart to hear them express themselves I just am overwhelmed,” said Mary Cutler, Hope’s grandmother

"The chips may be down and you may feel that there’s no one to help but God puts a ram in the bush and somebody is always going to be there and in this community we try to make sure to look out for one another,” said Suggs.

As they wait for justice to be served, they won’t let go of the special place Hope hold in their hearts…even those who never knew her.

"It could have been me it could have been my sister my mom anyone of my loved ones and I just wanted to show the family that this community we do stick together,” Suggs said.

"I don't understand a lot of things but I do trust God so I praise him today and that we can come together as one body. We'll miss her and just hope to see her again,” said Hope’s grandmother.

Hope’s funeral will be at the Hillside Funeral Home in Washington on Friday at 2 pm.

--- Original Story ---

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) - Greenville police tell 9 On Your Side they’ve obtained a warrant for the arrest of the suspect they say stabbed 32-year-old Elizabeth Hope Cutler of Washington to death.

Police say it happened around 7:30 Tuesday night at the Sedgefield Apartments on Concord Drive.

Police identified the suspect as 24-year-old Max Albert Dorat Tejada, also know as Max Alberto Diaz.

Investigators say an argument broke out between Tejada and Cutler in the parking lot. When Cutler took out her cell phone to use it, witnesses say he took the cell phone, threw it, then stabbed Cutler. The suspect then walked away.

K-9 units were able to recover a knife from the scene but police don't know if it was the assault weapon. Several witnesses were at the apartment complex, and Greenville police say they have good leads.

Police say they don't know the relation between Cutler and Tejada. They do think the suspect was staying in the same apartment complex.

Police say Tejada is from El Salvador and could be considered a flight risk.

If you have any information about this case, you are asked to call Greenville Police at (252) 329-4315.

A vigil will be held at 7:15 tonight at the apartment complex in Cutler's honor.

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