Man Charged With Murder In Denver Motel Stabbing Death

DENVER, CO —A 49-year-old man has been charged with murder in connection to the stabbing death of Dina Casias in a Denver motel earlier this month, Denver District Attorney Beth McCann announced Friday.

Israel Casarez was charged with one count of murder in the first degree Friday, a day after the Office of the Medical Examiner pronounced the 54-year-old Casias' Jan. 22 death a homicide. Casarez had been taken into custody that day at the Western Hills Motel, 5035 W. Colfax Ave., according to police.

The Denver Post reported that an affidavit described Casarez as the victim's boyfriend and police described the incident as a domestic violence case.

According to police reports, on the evening of Jan. 22, Denver police officers responded to the motel after several calls were placed to 911 about a man with a knife breaking window. Callers reported seeing blood through one of the windows, authorities said.

According to the Denver Post, officers arrived at the scene to find a room with a broken window and a mattress placed up against the inside of the broken window. When they looked into the room, officers discovered blood on the walls and furniture pushed up against the entry door.

Upon entering the room, officers said they found the victim unresponsive. Casias had been stabbed multiple times, and paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.

Police said they found Casarez in the room, standing behind a door and holding a large knife in his hand. He was arrested.