Denver woman found fatally stabbed in motel room, suspect found behind door with large knife, police say

A man is accused of killing a woman in a Denver motel room and police said they found the suspect hiding behind the door with a large knife.

On Jan. 21, Denver police responded to a Western Hills motel after several 911 calls about a man with a knife breaking windows, according to authorities. Callers reported seeing blood through one of the windows, and the dispatcher noted there were screams coming from multiple people during the call, according to The Denver Gazette.

Officers entered one of the hotel rooms and found Dina Casias, 54, unresponsive on the floor. Investigators said Casias had been stabbed multiple times in the chest and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers reportedly found Israel Casarez, 49, in the room standing behind the door with a large knife in his hand and took him into custody, according to the Denver District Attorney's Office.

Police described her death as a domestic violence incident, according to The Denver Post.

On Jan. 27, 2022, the Officer of the Medical Examiner pronounced Casias’ death a homicide, according to Denver District Attorney Beth McCann.

Casarez was charged with first-degree murder.