Kentucky Woman Found With Multiple Stab Wounds to Chest and Neck, Boyfriend Taken Into Custody

The police have reported the arrest of a Kentucky man who has been charged with fatally stabbing his girlfriend at their home in Pathfork on the evening of April 25. The victim, 50-year-old Mary Clayborn, was found with multiple stab wounds and later succumbed to her injuries.

State police said troopers arrived at their home at about 6:57 p.m. after getting a call about a stabbing. When they arrived, they found Clayborn is severely injured condition. She had deep wounds to her chest and neck. First responders tried to stop the bleeding at the scene while waiting for medical teams.

Clayborn was taken to Harlan ARH Hospital for treatment. Doctors had planned to airlift her to a larger hospital because of the severity of her injuries. However, she died before she could be moved, according to local authorities. Her body has now been sent to the state Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

The accused is identified as 36-year-old Michael Howard. He was arrested by the police shortly after the incident was reported. Authorities said the two were in a romantic relationship and lived in the same home.

Kentucky State Police Trooper Shane Jacobs said in a statement that Clayborn had “multiple stab wounds” when officers arrived. He also said Howard was taken into custody without incident; however, jail records also show that Howard is now also facing a charge of resisting arrest.

“Because it is such a rural area in Harlan County, there’s troopers who arrived there and immediately began action, trying to save this lady’s life until emergency personnel showed up,” Jacobs said.

Howard is being held at the Harlan County Detention Centre. He faces a murder charge along with several other felonies. These include operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs and alcohol, theft by unlawful taking, disregarding a stop sign and three counts of failure to appear.