Worcester woman charged in boyfriend's fatal stabbing

WORCESTER, Mass. (

) - A Worcester woman is facing charges in connection with the stabbing death of her live-in boyfriend.

Police say 31-year-old Stephanie Fernandes is charged with manslaughter and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in connection with the death late Wednesday.

The victim was identified as Andrew Wagner.

Police say they responded to the couple's home at about 11 p.m. Wednesday for reports of a domestic disturbance. Responding officers found 31-year-old Wagner unresponsive inside the home suffering from a single stab wound. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead just before midnight.

Fernandes' attorney says it was self defense.

"Basic contention would be she was defending herself at the time of the incident," he said.

He went on to say that that's why prosecutors went with the manslaughter charge.

Police say the couple had a "long-term relationship" and planned to get married this summer.

A neighbor told FOX 25 that Wagner lived in the home with Fernandes and her child. The neighbor claimed she heard fighting coming from the house and saw a woman outside on the steps apparently on the phone.

"They took her away, she was covered in blood, back of her pants and back of her shirt," claimed the neighbor.

Most residents in the neighborhood are shocked by what happened, and worried about Fernandes' daughter.

"It's sad. Now her mom's going to be, you know, in jail or whatever happens. I don't know the full story, but it's just unfortunate for that little girl and hopefully she didn't see anything happen, 'cause if she did you know that's very sad," a neighbor said.

Fernandes underwent two psychiatric evaluations and a doctor testified that she is distraught and suicidal. Because of that, a judge sent her to a Worcester hospital for further evaluation. She is due back in court on May 27.

Cox Media Group