CASPER, Wyo. — A domestic dispute escalated into a violent incident on December 9, 2025, resulting in aggravated assault charges for a local woman accused of stabbing her estranged husband. Investigators noted discrepancies in the couple’s accounts of the event, supported by surveillance footage and phone records, which challenge the woman’s claim of self-defense.
Tabatha Richardson, 37, is facing felony charges after allegedly stabbing her husband in the neck while he was feeding their infant son on the couch. Authorities arrived at the family’s home to find conflicting narratives surrounding the event. According to the husband, he had been spending time with the child when he suddenly felt pain in his neck. He reported that Richardson attacked him with a knife, prompting him to set the baby down and flee to call for help.
Conversely, Richardson contended that she was acting in self-defense, claiming her husband physically assaulted her while she was holding their child. Reports indicate that a child present in the home did not witness the confrontation but heard their father exclaim, “What are you doing?” to which Richardson allegedly responded, “What? You’re hurting me!” This exchange raises questions about the dynamics of the incident, particularly in light of the physical evidence collected at the scene.
Investigators detailed their findings from the property, where they recovered blood-stained items and a knife. Notably, they observed no signs of a struggle that would typically corroborate Richardson’s account of a chaotic confrontation. As the investigation unfolded, authorities scrutinized surveillance footage from the couple’s home. They discovered Richardson had been recorded striking herself with a small sledgehammer roughly two and a half hours prior to the stabbing incident, casting doubt on her claims.
Further examination of Richardson’s phone revealed concerning messages she had sent to herself regarding domestic violence, as well as documents on how to present her story in court. Initially, she claimed the hammer strikes were part of a treatment routine for a chronic condition, before later asserting they were an act of self-protection. Meanwhile, information gathered from medical records indicated that she had not reported any incidents of abuse to her doctor a month prior, despite expressing apprehension over her divorce and concerns about custody of their children.
The couple’s home itself became a focal point of the investigation, with the sledgehammer found tucked away in a garage, suggesting potential concealment. Additionally, a concrete chisel that appeared in the footage was later discovered hidden under a sleeping bag after Richardson had been questioned about its existence. The contrast in the couple’s narratives continued to expand as authorities gathered more evidence.
Both individuals were treated at a local medical center after the stabbing. Investigators pointed out that Richardson’s version of events became increasingly complicated as they matched her statements against the visual and physical evidence collected. This case paints a troubling picture not just of a singular violent incident, but also of a family in distress amid ongoing divorce and custody disputes.
Richardson remains out of custody after posting a percentage of her bail. The charges she faces carry substantial legal repercussions, with potential penalties including years of imprisonment and hefty fines if she is convicted. As the case progresses, the complexities surrounding their relationship and the circumstances leading to the attack continue to unfold.