Woman arrested in fatal stabbing of 21-year old domestic partner


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OGDEN — Ogden City Police arrested Victoria Mendoza, 22, for the murder of her 21-year old domestic partner, Tawnee Maria Baird on Saturday.

Around 1 a.m. police received a 911 phone call and then responded to a parking lot in West Ogden, 2484 E Ave, where they discovered Victoria with the victim. Baird had been stabbed to death.

Police believe Victoria drove to the parking lot in West Ogden, and then contacted a family member about an argument she had with Baird. The family member subsequently called police.

"We were actually responding on a call of a murder or someone wanting to turn themselves in for a murder," Ogden Police Lt. Tim Scott said.

According to police, both Victoria and the Baird live together in the Holladay, Utah area, but had traveled to Ogden to see friends.

Investigators believe the stabbing was a result of an argument between the victim and the suspect.

Investigators were doing background checks to see if the two women have a history of domestic violence, Scott said.

Baird's father, Casey Baird, said on his Facebook page he was flying back to Salt Lake City from Alabama Saturday after receiving the news of her death. He wrote that his daughter — "my best friend" — was murdered by a woman "that all of us tried to help."

"I love my lady bug more than I love myself," he wrote. Then in an angry, graphic post apparently aimed at Mendoza, he added: "Don't try insanity plea!!! In fact I don't even want the death penalty!!!! I want you to sit in a … prison cell and have plenty of time to rottttt!"

Scott said an incident like Saturday's doesn't have to happen.

"If anyone knows anyone in a violent domestic situation, feel free to report it to law enforcement so we can intervene before something like this takes place," he said.

Contributing: Sandra Yi

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