A Maryland woman tragically lost her life in a stabbing incident at her residence over the weekend. Her estranged husband surrendered to authorities just hours after the incident.

On Sunday, shortly after 8 a.m., the Howard County Police Department responded to reports that 53-year-old Alexander Stephenson had attacked his wife, 47-year-old Amethyst Stephenson, before fleeing the scene.

Officers swiftly arrived at the location, a stunning $900,000 property surrounded by woodland near Ellicott City, a short drive from Baltimore.

Upon their arrival, they found Amethyst had already succumbed to her injuries. The Howard County Police informed the Daily Mail that she suffered multiple stab wounds but withheld further specifics.

Authorities revealed that Amethyst and Alexander were living separately and that he was not residing at the location where the homicide occurred.

Alexander quickly became the prime suspect in this tragic case.

The Howard County Police Department told the Daily Mail that he turned himself in at 10.30am on the day of the murder at the department’s northern district station in Ellicott City.

Police also told the Daily Mail that Alexander had self-inflicted wounds to the wrist, but they were non-life-threatening. 

Amethyst Stephenson, 47, was found stabbed to death in her home on Sunday morning

Amethyst’s estranged husband, Alexander Stephenson, 53, turned himself in just two hours after police responded to the stabbing. The couple is pictured together in 2024

He was transported to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where he remains as of Monday afternoon while being treated and evaluated, the department also said. 

Police added that Alexander will be booked into the Howard County Detention Center once he is released from the hospital, and he is facing charges of first-degree murder and violation of a protective order.

According to court records, the protective order was put into place in January 2026, and the listed reason was ‘domestic violence.’ 

The most recent photo of Amethyst and Alexander together was posted on Amethyst’s Facebook in July 2025, and a photo from the couple’s wedding was posted in May 2022.

According to Maryland law, if Alexander is convicted of his first-degree murder charge, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. 

The state banned capital punishment in 2013, and the last execution in Maryland took place in 2005. 

Shortly after her death, Amethyst’s father, Steve Willey, posted about his daughter on Facebook and wrote: ‘To folks who knew Amethyst, I hope you find a moment to remember extraordinary things you shared.’

Six people close to the family responded, sharing their condolences. 

The Howard County Police Department said that Amethyst was stabbed multiple times by her estranged husband

This photo from Amethyst and Alexander’s wedding was posted to Amethyst’s Facebook account in May 2022

This photo, which was posted in July, is the most recent picture of the couple on Amethyst’s Facebook

Shortly after she died, Amethyst’s father posted about her on Facebook, and people close to the family shared their condolences

‘I am so heartbroken for the both of you. She was a beautiful light and I’ll never forget her radiant smile,’ one person commented. 

‘She gave me some great life advice. I’ll have to find her message and share,’ another wrote. 

‘Our hearts are with you, Steve, and with Martj,’ a third wrote.