FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Authorities say a 17-year-old has been charged with murdering his mother following a deadly stabbing at their home Tuesday evening. The tragic incident has left the Fayetteville community shaken as investigators work to understand what led to the violence.

According to the Fayetteville Police Department, officers were called to a residence on Daphne Circle around 7 p.m. after receiving a report of a stabbing. When police arrived at the home, they found 49-year-old Katharine Svaldi suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A suspect was located inside the home and detained immediately, police said. Investigators later identified the suspect as Isaac Tracy, 17, who is Svaldi’s son. Tracy was charged with first-degree murder and taken into custody without incident. He is currently being held without bond.

Police officials confirmed that under North Carolina law, Tracy is being charged as an adult due to his age and the seriousness of the alleged crime. Because of this, his name has been released publicly. Authorities emphasized that the decision follows state legal guidelines and was not discretionary.

At this time, police have not released information about a possible motive or the events leading up to the stabbing. Detectives continue to interview witnesses, collect evidence, and work to establish a clear timeline of what occurred inside the home. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details may be released as they become available.

Neighbors described the family as quiet and private, saying the incident came as a shock. Police stated there is no ongoing threat to the public related to the case. As the investigation continues, the tragic death of Katharine Svaldi has prompted renewed conversations in the community about domestic violence and the devastating impact of family-related crimes.