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Florida woman stabbed up to 70 times in Seminole County home by estranged boyfriend, deputies say

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Updated  December 6, 2024 10:30pm EST
Seminole County
FOX 35 Orlando

Estranged boyfriend crashes after killing ex: Sheriff

A man broke into his estranged girlfriend's home and stabbed her to death multiple times with a kitchen knife and also stabbed her new boyfriend, who tried to help her, according to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office. The estranged boyfriend was then killed shortly after the attack after he lost control of his vehicle, crashed, and was thrown from it, SCSO said.

EDITOR'S NOTE: 

  • If you or someone you know is in an abusive situation, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7. You can call 1-800-799-SAFE anytime or text "START" to 88788.

The Brief

    • A woman was found dead inside her home with multiple stab wounds from what is believed to be a kitchen knife, the Seminole County Sheriff's Office said.
    • Her estranged boyfriend is believed to have used a hammer to smash a window and enter the woman's bedroom. The woman's new boyfriend was asleep next to her and tried to help. He was stabbed in the leg, and ran to a neighbor's home to call 911.
    • The estranged boyfriend left the home in a vehicle, lost control, crashed, and was found dead, officials said.
    • The two shared a 16-year-old son, who was asleep when all of this happened.

CHULUOTA, Fla. - A man broke into his estranged girlfriend's home and stabbed her to death multiple times with a kitchen knife and also stabbed her new boyfriend, who tried to help her, according to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office. 

The estranged boyfriend was then killed shortly after the attack after he lost control of his vehicle, crashed, and was thrown from it, SCSO said.

Sheriff Dennis Lemma said the couple had a 16-year-old son who was asleep in the house during the alleged attack. He was unharmed and not involved.

Woman stabbed, killed by estranged boyfriend: FULL PRESS CONFERENCE

Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma held a press conference to provide an update on a deadly shooting that happened early Friday morning. Sheriff Lemma said a man broke into his estranged girlfriend's home and stabbed her several times in her bed with a kitchen knife. Another man who was in the room with her, a new boyfriend, tried to help, but was stabbed in the leg. The estranged boyfriend ran away from the scene in his vehicle, crashed, and died, the sheriff said. The couple had a 16-year-old son.

The sheriff's office identified the woman as Kristin Stevens, 40, and her estranged boyfriend, who was killed in the crash, as 42-year-old James Christopher Lindsey.

The sheriff's office has not released the name of the other man who was stabbed, but said he was stabbed in the leg and is expected to fully recover.

James Christopher Lindsey is believed to have stabbed his estranged girlfriend, Kristin Stevens, to death inside her home on Dec. 6. Lindsay was killed hours after the attack after his vehicle went off the road, hit a tree, and flipped over, official

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Timeline

The incident happened around 1 a.m. Friday at a home on Hibbard Trail in Chuluota, Florida. A man called 911 and said that he and his girlfriend had been stabbed, according to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.

Four minutes later, deputies arrived at the home and found Stevens dead inside. Sheriff Lemma said the woman was stabbed between 20 and up to 70 times.

Around 5 a.m., officials located a wreck near Fort Christmas Road and W. Christmas Road. A 2018 Chrysler 300 had crashed on southbound Fort Christmas Road, struck a stop sign, trees, and fence, and then flipped several times.

The body of her estranged boyfriend was found at the scene.

A history of violence

Sheriff Lemma said there was a history of domestic violence incidents over an 18-year relationship between Stevens and Lindsey with both seeking injunctions against one another.

On Nov. 6, 2024, Lindsey, her estranged boyfriend, was arrested on a charge of domestic violence battery against Stevens. He was scheduled to be arraigned in court on Friday related to that charge.

Sheriff Lemma said the Seminole County Sheriff's Office and the State Attorney's Office tried to have a high bond and electronic ankle monitoring required for Lindsey after his Nov. 6 arrest, but the judge issued a $1,000 bond and no ankle monitoring.

"This is a heartbreaking and traumatic incident that will have a lasting impact on families and a community," said Sheriff Dennis Lemma in a prepared statement. "I am proud of our deputies’ quick response to the scene and our detectives who have been working around the clock to put these cases together. Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. Our team will continue to work diligently to uncover the full details surrounding this case."

Licensed psychotherapist Dr. Janie Lacy said the most dangerous time for victims of domestic violence is the transition between relationships and offers tips on how to protect yourself.

"When there's a shared home, and the person who's making the threats leaves the home, there are some things we would recommend: changing the locks, changing safety codes, potentially getting cameras."

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