25-year-old man died after the 23-year-old woman he was dating for two months stabbed him in the chest with an 8-inch knife just because he didn’t want “to make love;” woman charged
Minnesota – In a deeply troubling case out of Minnesota, a 23-year-old woman, identified as K. Markiv, is facing two counts of second-degree murder after stabbing her 25-year-old boyfriend, identified as Q. Hughes, during an argument that escalated into fatal violence. The charges come with a combined maximum sentence of 80 years in prison, placing Markiv at the center of a murder case that began with a disagreement and ended with a young man’s life cut short.
The fatal confrontation unfolded in the early morning hours of December 8, 2025, at a residence. Around 4:05 a.m., emergency dispatchers received a call from Hughes himself. Despite having just been stabbed, he managed to speak with 911, describing the incident as a result of a “minor disagreement” with Markiv. At one point, Markiv also got on the call, telling dispatchers that he had been stabbed “at his left (expletive) nipple” and offering apologies to him.
Hughes remained conscious long enough to relay crucial information, but by the time officers arrived, he was unresponsive, lying on the floor in a pool of blood. Officers immediately began performing lifesaving measures, noting that Hughes had a severe chest wound and was bleeding from his neck, face, and mouth. Despite initial signs of life, he was pronounced dead at 4:36 a.m. inside the apartment. Police recovered an 8-inch boning knife with blood on it, found behind Markiv, which is believed to be the weapon used in the stabbing.
During interviews, Markiv told officers that she and Hughes had been dating since October and were also coworkers. She admitted to being angry that Hughes didn’t want to “have fun,” later clarifying that she meant “to make love”. Markiv said Hughes had raised his voice slightly, and that during the resulting argument, she began swinging the knife she was holding.
Her intention, she said, was only to “scratch” him, not to kill. But the knife struck with fatal force. She also admitted to punching Hughes, which she downplayed as “tapping.” Markiv told investigators that she didn’t mean to kill him, but acknowledged that she was enraged, stating that “sometimes people just start swinging when they’re mad.” She claimed she didn’t realize how close he was when she lashed out with the blade.
Two coworkers interviewed by law enforcement described Markiv as someone who was known to get upset frequently at work, but both expressed disbelief that such a violent act could come from her. Still, the behavior patterns described by those familiar with her now form part of a growing body of evidence painting a picture of emotional volatility leading up to the fatal incident.
On December 10, 2025, Markiv appeared in court, where she was formally charged with two counts of second-degree murder, each carrying a potential 40-year sentence. A follow-up hearing is scheduled for this month, where she will be provided with the criminal complaint and asked to enter a plea. The death of Hughes has left a lasting mark on his community, friends, and loved ones. What began as a disagreement in the quiet of an early morning turned fatal in a matter of moments. Now, Markiv faces the full weight of the justice system—a grim process that will examine how a moment of anger, fueled by alcohol and frustration, took a young life and changed two others forever.
