Police: Argument leads to fatal stabbing

By KATU Web Staff

Summary

Officers found the body of Melissa Ann Johnston, 39, outside a southeast Portland home Saturday evening. Police arrested Patricia A. Langhorst, 20, at the scene. The pair were arguing before Johnston was stabbed.

Story Published: May 18, 2008 at 1:24 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 8:21 PM PDT

Police: Argument leads to fatal stabbing

PORTLAND, Ore. - Police on Sunday identified the pair involved in a fatal stabbing in southeast Portland a night earlier.

Officers found the body of 39-year-old Melissa Ann Johnston outside a home in the 7300 block of Southeast Evergreen Street about 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

An autopsy determined she died from a stab wound.

Police arrested 20-year-old Patricia A. Langhorst at the scene. She was booked into the Multnomah County jail on a murder charge and was being held Sunday without bond.

According to police, the pair, who knew each other, were arguing outside the home when the stabbing happened. Authorities declined to release any more details, such as what they were arguing about.

Langhorst was expected to be arraigned Monday.

Anyone with information on the case was asked to call Detective Jim McCausland at (503) 823-0449 or Detective Steve Ober at (503)823-4033.

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