WILMINGTON, DE — Wilmington Police have arrested two men in connection with a fatal stabbing incident that occurred on Sunday, February 11.
At approximately 7:30 a.m., police responded to a call at the 500 block of South Franklin Street, Kosciuszko Park, where they discovered a 59-year-old woman deceased. The victim was later identified as Barbara Williams.
In conjunction with the Delaware Division of Forensic Sciences, investigators initiated a death investigation, which determined the following day that Williams had died from a fatal stabbing.
Detective Joseph Wicks of the Criminal Investigations Division was assigned to the case. Through his investigation, Wicks determined that the alleged stabbing took place inside a residence on the 1300 block of Lancaster Avenue, and Williams’ remains were subsequently transported to the park on South Franklin Street.
Investigators identified Steven Byrd, 35, as a suspect and took him into custody without incident on February 13. Byrd has been charged with first-degree murder, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, possession of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited, and tampering with physical evidence. Following his arraignment in Justice of the Peace Court 20, Byrd was committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $2,368,172 cash-only bail.
A second suspect, 29-year-old Joseph Welsh, was identified by police, who alleged that he assisted Byrd in transporting Williams’ remains. He was taken into custody without incident on February 14 and has been charged with tampering with physical evidence and second-degree conspiracy. He was also arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 20 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $10,000 secured bail.
As this case progresses, information may change as more details become available. It’s crucial to remember that the release of information, a criminal complaint, or an arrest does not constitute a declaration of guilt. All suspects, arrestees, or defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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