“She was just enraged;” 31-year-old woman grabbed a knife after her 20-year-old boyfriend strangled her in front of her teen son and fatally stabbed him in the chest; arrested
Indiana – In a harrowing incident in Indiana, a 31‑year‑old woman, identified as M. Palma, has been arrested in connection with the death of her 20-year-old boyfriend, identified as B. Matute, after stabbing him in the chest during a domestic dispute. The charges stem from an incident in which prosecutors say she acted after being strangled by her partner in front of her teenage son. Though she initially claimed self‑defense, later statements and witness testimony reflect that she was acting out of anger.
The incident occurred early Saturday morning at an apartment. According to court documents and witness statements, Palma and her boyfriend, Matute, had been drinking. They got into a verbal argument, and things quickly escalated. A friend who was asleep in the residence says she woke to the sound of Palma and Matute arguing. The friend observed him hitting Palma in the face with both a closed fist and an open hand. From there, both began striking each other. The friend tried to calm Matute and get him to leave the apartment. But he came back inside, rushed past the friend, and began strangling Palma.
Witnesses say it was at that moment that Palma grabbed a knife, retrieved from the kitchen, and stabbed Matute once in the chest. She later admitted to investigators that she had been hit during the altercation and “didn’t feel in fear for her safety; she was just enraged.” The stabbing caused fatal injuries.
The woman’s teenage son was present in the apartment during the altercation. The child told detectives he did not see the stabbing itself, only the argument beforehand. Another witness helped break up the fight. The child’s presence added a heartbreaking dimension to the situation. After the stabbing, Palma reportedly yelled, “Don’t die!” and, with help from two residents, attempted to get Matute to a hospital. Those who assisted transported his body to a nearby hospital in a vehicle. He was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
Public records state that Palma admitted to stabbing Matute but claimed she never intended to kill him. She expressed remorse after learning he had died. She said they had been dating for approximately three years, had lived together in Colombia and Illinois, and recently relocated to Indiana. Her defense states that she was intoxicated during the incident — that alcohol played a role in her emotional response. But prosecutors emphasize that the act of retrieving a knife and stabbing him in the chest suggests intent. Witnesses saw Matute using violence first, and Palma acting in reaction. Her statement that she was “just enraged” was made in the investigative interviews and is used as a factor in understanding motive.
Authorities have confirmed she is being held without bond pending formal charges. She originally asserted self‑defense, but investigators consider her admission of stabbing and her emotional state as key evidence. As of the latest reports, law enforcement has filed the killing as a homicide case. The county coroner later ruled the manner of death a homicide, with the cause being a single puncture wound to the chest, penetrating the heart. Palma is being held in custody pending a court appearance. The police department confirmed she was arrested following the incident. She will face charges that reflect the severity of her actions, including homicide. Her court date is scheduled, though as of now there has been no public record of sentencing or conviction.
The case has drawn attention in the community, with neighbors expressing shock. Many say this kind of violence was unexpected, especially in what appeared to be a normal domestic environment. Palma’s own friends and the mother of the victim have described her as someone who lost control in a moment of emotional upheaval. Though the legal process is ongoing, this case highlights some painful truths: how domestic disputes can escalate suddenly and how claims of self‑defense may conflict with witness accounts and evidence. Investigators are weighing the presence of a child, the alleged violent actions against Palma, and her response with lethal force. As the courts move forward, the community waits for clarity, closure, and a legal judgment that reflects the gravity of a life lost in front of a child after anger exploded into tragedy.
