A woman has been killed after her husband repeatedly stabbed her during a Bible study session at a relative’s home in St. Paul, Minnesota, local authorities said.
Officers from the Saint Paul Police Department were called to the residence around 9 p.m. Tuesday for a reported stabbing. When officers arrived, several people were holding a man and a woman was “apparently suffering from stab wounds to her upper body”, police said in a news release.
The woman was taken to hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Police later identified the victim as Corrina Woodhull, a 41-year-old woman who lived in St. Paul.
Police have confirmed that Robert Castillo, 40, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and sentenced to prison.
As he was being taken to jail, Castillo asked an officer “Is she okay?” police said in charging documents provided to USA TODAY.
Castillo’s sister holds a weekly Bible study at her home, according to the charging documents.
Woodhull and Castillo sat together on a couch at home during the weekly session, and Castillo held his wife’s hand, kissing her, according to the documents. He whispered something to her and the woman shook her head before the man stabbed her repeatedly. Others at the rally held Castillo back until police arrived at the home.
Another person who was present for the Bible study said they helped Woodhull after she was stabbed, and she said “Don’t let me die”.
Castillo told officials the couple had been married for several years.
The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Woodhull’s death a homicide.
Woodhull is survived by his five children, according to multiple reports.
She worked for Juel Fairbanks Recovery Services, a treatment center for substance use disorders. The establishment declined to comment on USA TODAY.
The establishment on Facebook shared that it “has so much light and spreads that light and positivity every day to our customers and staff.”
Castillo has previous convictions for assault. He used a hammer to attack a woman he had a relationship with and stabbed a roommate, officials said in the charging documents.
Castillo appeared in custody on Thursday and his bail was set at $5 million, the Ramsey County District Attorney’s Office confirmed to USA TODAY. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney.
If you are in immediate danger of domestic violence, call 911. For anonymous and confidential help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or text START to 88788.
USA Today