Man Accused of Fatally Stabbing Fiancée a Week After They Got Engaged By Samira Asma-Sadeque

A Maryland man is under arrest after his fiancée was found fatally stabbed in her bathroom just days after the couple got engaged.

The victim, 44-year-old Shelaya Broadwater, was pronounced dead by Howard County authorities in her Ellicott City, Md., home on Thursday, Sept. 18, authorities said in a press release.

Police arrested 34-year-old Rondale Dickerson on several charges, including murder, in connection with Broadwater’s death, per the release.

Broadwater was found fatally stabbed by her child, according to charging documents and a police communication account cited by WMAR 2 and WBAL-TV, respectively.

The child, who WBAL-TV reports is 14-years-old, told a 911 operator that they found Broadwater with multiple stab wounds and blood everywhere, per investigators.

The child told police Dickerson, who got engaged to Broadwater just a week prior, was banging on her door earlier in the morning, WMAR 2 reported.

The child further alleged to authorities that Dickerson came to the apartment earlier that day around 5 a.m. because Broadwater was reportedly upset with him, and that he tried to break into the unit, WBAL-TV reported.

Dickerson was arrested later that same day, Howard County police said, adding that they believed Broadwater was killed in a “targeted” attack.

Just a few hours after Broadwater’s body was discovered, police responded to a welfare check at a nearby Walmart on reports of a man who was escorted out due to “something not being right,” per charging documents cited by WMAR 2.

The man turned out to be Dickerson, who police say was shirtless and had cuts all over him.

A motive for the killing has not been announced by authorities.

Broadwater was known for her “loving” and “quiet” nature among friends and family, according to a tribute posted on Facebook by her cousin.

“She was a beautiful soul inside and out. To have her snatched from us in such a violent way angers my spirit and breaks my heart,” wrote Michael Handy. “She was silent, quiet, loving and pure in heart… yet a coward chose violence against such a kind soul.”

Several people shared similar sentiments in response to his tribute.

“She had such a beautiful soul, and her smile could brighten any room,” wrote one person.  

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Dickerson allegedly initially denied his involvement but later confessed to killing Broadwater, police said, according to WBAL-TV and WMAR 2.

He has been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, assault and home invasion, per Howard County authorities.

He is being held without bond, and court records do not indicate if he has entered pleas.

PEOPLE has reached out to a public defender listed as representing him in court records. His next court date is in October.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.