Woman accused of slitting boyfriend’s throat on Thanksgiving, telling dispatcher it was ‘her Independence Day’
MESA, Ariz. (KPHO/Gray News) — A woman in Arizona who is accused of trying to kill her boyfriend with a hunting knife on Thanksgiving Day reportedly made disturbing confessions and comments when she spoke to detectives, according to court documents.
Just after 8 p.m. last Thursday, 911 dispatchers received a call from 52-year-old Tamala Rudeseal who reportedly claimed she slashed her boyfriend’s throat and said things like “I did just try to murder you” and “today is my Independence Day,” per court papers.
Police rushed to an apartment complex near Broadway Road and Country Club Drive, where they found Rudeseal’s boyfriend suffering from a deep cut that extended from his left ear to the center of his neck.
The man was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency surgery, while officers took Rudeseal into custody and recovered a large folding hunting knife near where she was found, according to police.
Detectives spoke with the man, who said his girlfriend of 11 years often is depressed around the holidays and that they had argued earlier in the day.
The man claimed he was asleep when he woke to a sharp pain in his neck.
He told authorities that he thought he was going to die, but controlled the bleeding with his shirt until they arrived.
During an interview with authorities, Rudeseal was asked whether she attempted to kill him. She replied, “Yes. God, I hope he is dead; it’d be a favor to me, his wife, and his children.”
In that conversation, Rudeseal recalled stabbing the man in the throat before adding, ”I planned on doing the other side and then stabbing him in the heart,” according to the paperwork.
Rudeseal was booked into the Maricopa County jail on attempted murder and aggravated assault charges. Her bond was set at $1 million.
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