A man killed his girlfriend and then took his own life on Sunday and the murder-suicide was witnessed by the couple’s 8-year-old daughter, Orlando police say.
Investigators arrived at Stag Horn Villas on Silver Star Road, to find 47-year-old Donald Stephenson and 41-year-old Nicholette White lying on the floor of an apartment.
Both Stephenson and White were taken to a local area hospital where they were pronounced dead.
Investigators have not released details on how the pair died, but detectives were responding to a “cutting” when they went to the apartment at 4650 Stag Horn Drive around 5:30 p.m.
According to news reports, Stephenson slashed White’s throat during an argument on Sunday, then did the same thing to himself.
Police say, Stephenson and White were not married, but the couple’s 8-year-old daughter, who witnessed the incident, went to a neighbor’s apartment in the complex and reported what she had seen. That’s when the neighbor went to Stephenson and White’s apartment and called 911.
The couple’s daughter is in the care of family members, police say, and the Department of Children and Families has been notified.
This murder suicide marks the start of Domestic Violence Awareness month beginning today, October 1st, and is the third in a serious of similar incidents over the last several weeks in Orlando.
this was a shock to me……. still can’t believe it…..plus that’s my dad…. the eldest one. just turn 18 one week a go. so R.I.P both dad and nicholette…
I am in shock right now. Nicholette was my former high school mate and a wonderful person. She did not deserve this.!!!
I remember her from work at Arnold palmer. people need to learn that these things happen and the warning signs Rip in peace nicholette
RIP Donald i will miss very much i was also shock when i heard this ,i would never thought he would do nothing like this but it happen to the best of us.may God bless his little girl and her mother family may God be with u all,
This comes as a shock to me I am disturbed I cant believe this why!!!why I dont wish this for no woman boy or girl.To the family of Nicholette I share my sympathy during this time of loss, words cant explain how sadden and emotional it is right now she is gone but will not be forgotten leave it to the Lord.Donald we are disappointed.