ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Detectives in Howard County are investigating the fatal stabbing of a woman found dead in her Ellicott City apartment, just a week after she and her fiancé had reportedly decided to get married.
Police responded to a call in the 3100 block of West Springs Drive shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday. Upon entering the residence, officers discovered the body of Shelaya Broadwater, 44, with multiple apparent stab wounds. The discovery was made by one of Broadwater’s relatives, who immediately contacted emergency services.
According to investigators, Rondale Dickerson, 34, faces several charges, including first- and second-degree murder, assault, and home invasion, in connection with Broadwater’s death. Police say Dickerson and Broadwater were engaged and that the killing has been classified as a domestic violence case.
Details released by officials indicate Dickerson arrived at Broadwater’s apartment around 5 a.m. on Thursday, repeatedly knocking on the door before leaving when there was no response. Law enforcement believe he later returned to the scene and fatally attacked Broadwater before fleeing the area. Authorities noted there were no signs of forced entry at the apartment.
Not long after the homicide was reported, police received information about a suspicious individual at a Walmart located nearby. Officers arrived and identified the man as Dickerson, who was subsequently taken into custody without incident.
Broadwater’s death marks another instance of domestic violence in the Baltimore metropolitan region, prompting concerns among advocates and local officials about the ongoing dangers faced by individuals in intimate partner relationships. Investigators are still working to determine what led to Thursday’s deadly encounter, and have not yet specified a motive for the violence.
Court documents and interviews with people close to the couple indicate Dickerson and Broadwater had recently agreed to wed, a decision made only a week earlier. Those same documents reveal that Dickerson faces a range of serious charges and is currently being held at the Howard County Jail without bond.
Authorities have not disclosed whether there is a history of domestic incidents involving the couple, but they continue to gather evidence as the investigation unfolds. Dickerson is scheduled to appear in court on October 22.
Police urge anyone who may have information about the case to come forward, as detectives work to piece together the events leading up to Broadwater’s death.
The investigation remains open as law enforcement seeks to clarify details surrounding the events and the relationship between the victim and the suspect.