The St. Cloud community is grieving after a tragic stabbing early Monday morning that left 25-year-old Quinton Hughes of Sauk Rapids dead and a young woman in custody. What began as a quiet start to the week turned into a devastating scene inside a local apartment complex, leaving neighbors shaken and families heartbroken. Police say the incident appears to have been domestic in nature, and the case remains under active investigation as detectives work to understand what unfolded.
According to the St. Cloud Police Department, officers were dispatched to the apartment shortly after 4 a.m. When they entered the residence, they found Hughes suffering from a serious stab wound. Emergency responders immediately attempted life-saving measures, but Hughes was pronounced dead at the scene. The sudden loss has left those who knew him shocked and saddened, struggling to process how such violence could erupt inside a place he shared with someone he knew.
Investigators quickly launched a full-scale inquiry, gathering physical evidence from inside the apartment and interviewing potential witnesses. Police emphasized that the situation appeared to involve only the individuals present and that there was no wider threat to the community. Officers worked methodically to secure the building, preserve critical details, and create a clear timeline of events. Detectives say patience is essential as they sort through the information and determine exactly what led to the fatal confrontation.
Authorities confirmed that 23-year-old Katerina Markiv of St. Cloud was present when officers arrived. Markiv, who investigators say had been in a relationship with Hughes, was taken into custody without incident. She was later booked into the Stearns County Jail on charges connected to the homicide. Police have not released additional information about what may have triggered the stabbing, stressing that many details remain under review and that charges could be updated as the investigation progresses and prosecutors evaluate the evidence.
The apartment building remained secured for several hours as investigators processed the scene and spoke with neighbors who may have heard or seen activity earlier in the night. Residents described the complex as generally quiet, making the early-morning police presence alarming. Officers maintained visibility in the area throughout the morning to reassure those living nearby and to answer questions about safety. For many, the incident served as a stark reminder of how domestic violence can erupt suddenly and with devastating consequences.
As word of the tragedy spread across St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids, community members shared condolences and expressed deep sadness over Hughes’s death. Police acknowledged the profound impact domestic-related violence has on families and communities, urging anyone experiencing or witnessing potential abuse to seek help. Authorities are asking anyone with additional information to contact investigators as they continue their work. While the community mourns the loss of a young man whose life was cut too short, police remain committed to conducting a thorough and transparent investigation to bring clarity to what happened inside the apartment that morning.
