A Philadelphia man is accused of stabbing his ex-girlfriend, a recent high school graduate, more than 30 times at a SEPTA parking lot in Montgomery County.
Gilbert Newton III, 18, was arrested and charged with First-Degree murder and other related offenses in the homicide of Morgan McCaffery, 18, of Abington Township.
On Monday, at 8:15 a.m., Abington Township police responded to the Meadowbrook Train Station where they found McCaffery lying in the parking lot next to her running car.
McCaffery was covered in blood and suffering from stab wounds to her neck and stomach. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The Montgomery County coroner determined she had been stabbed more than 30 times and her death was ruled a homicide.
A witness reported seeing a white Jeep fleeing the scene. Investigators determined McCaffery had broken off a yearlong relationship with Newton in June. McCaffery had gone to meet Newton at the train station on Monday to discuss their relationship when he stabbed her to death, according to investigators.
Philadelphia police arrived at Newton's home around 10 a.m. Monday and found him sitting on the couch, wearing bloody clothing, officials said. A white Jeep Patriot was also parked on the street in front of the home, according to police.
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Newton was arrested and remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 4.
A friend of the victim told police Newton was abusive toward McCaffery during their relationship, according to the criminal complaint. She also said McCaffery feared for her safety after Newton allegedly threatened her three weeks before the murder.
"A young woman with her whole life ahead of her, just graduated from high school, was brutally stabbed to death," Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said. "This murder is a tragedy for her family, her friends and everyone who loved her. Sadly, we are seeing relationship violence and domestic violence far too often during this pandemic."
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELP: The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or 800-787-3224 (TTY) provides people in distress, or those around them, with 24-hour support.
