Authorities in Detroit have apprehended a man following the alleged murder of his girlfriend, whom he is accused of strangling and stabbing, according to law enforcement officials.
The incident occurred around 11:20 p.m. on June 9 when Detroit Police Department officers responded to a residence in Detroit and discovered the lifeless body of 48-year-old Stacy Smith in her bedroom. WJBK-TV reports that Smith’s daughter, Kaiya Smith, made the gruesome discovery. She reported detecting the scent of lighter fluid upon entering the home and noticed that one of her mother’s legs had suffered partial burns.
Upon investigation, police observed the burn on Smith’s right leg, along with a stab wound to her chest. Prosecutors allege that 42-year-old Cortez Coleman, the victim’s boyfriend, strangled her, inflicted stab wounds with a knife, and burned her leg before fleeing the scene.
Authorities believe that Coleman attempted to conceal the crime in an act of cover-up. However, on June 12, he was arrested. Coleman appeared in court on June 15 and faces a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the death of Stacy Smith.
Coleman’s next court appearances are scheduled for July 5 for a probable cause conference and July 12 for a preliminary examination, as confirmed by authorities.
