WAGGAMAN, La. — A woman faces a second-degree murder charge following the fatal stabbing of her husband late Tuesday night, an incident that turned violent in the suburbs of New Orleans.
Authorities with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a car crash shortly after 10 p.m. Upon their arrival, they found 68-year-old Sebastian King unresponsive and suffering from multiple stab wounds. Emergency medical teams pronounced him dead at the scene.
Carmella Motley, 65, identified herself as King’s wife and was present at the scene when deputies arrived. She informed law enforcement that a heated argument had taken place between the couple while they were driving. The nature of this altercation escalated dramatically, resulting in the stabbing, according to investigators. Authorities noted that after the initial assault, King was also struck by the couple’s SUV, compounding the tragedy.
The Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office revealed that the cause of King’s death included both blunt-force injuries from the vehicle and sharp-force injuries from the stabbing. As of now, the details leading to their confrontation, along with the history of the couple’s relationship, remain unclear. Investigators have not yet disclosed what specifically ignited the argument.
King, a grandfather of five, was well-known in his community as a dedicated delivery driver for Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans. His work allowed him to forge connections with numerous local organizations that serve the community. In honor of his contributions, a celebration of his life is scheduled at God’s House Church in Marrero, a place he often visited during his deliveries.
Motley was taken into custody immediately following the incident and is currently held at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center with a bond set at $500,000. As of Wednesday, there was no indication that she had secured legal representation.
The sheriff’s office continues to gather evidence and witness statements related to the fatal incident. Investigators are working diligently to uncover more information surrounding the circumstances that led to this heartbreaking event, but no further details have been released at this time. Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward as they seek to piece together the events leading to the tragedy.