Winchester Library Stabbing Victim ID'd

WINCHESTER, MA – A 22-year-old woman who was stabbed and later died after an incident at Winchester Public Library Saturday has been identified as Deane Kenny Stryker, according to reports. Stryker was a first-year student in the University of New England’s College of Osteopathic Medicine who "showed great promise as a student doctor" and was "passionate about medicine and helping others," University of New England President James Herbert said in a statement.

Jeffrey Yao, 24, of Winchester, was arrested at the library and charged in connection with the stabbing. A 77-year-old man was also stabbed and treated at an area hospital.

Shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, Winchester Police responded to the Winchester Public Library for a report that two people had been stabbed. Upon arrival, police found Stryker and an elderly man both suffering from stab wounds. Both victims were transported to area hospitals, where she later died.

Yao allegedly approached Stryker, who was sitting at a table in the library reading room, from behind with a hunting knife, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said.

"Mr. Yao began striking her with what we now know was a hunting knife with a 10-inch blade and she suffered a number of slash and stab wounds," she alleged.

The woman left the table and attempted to get to the front lobby. A number of patrons in the lobby came to her aid and one, the 77-year-old man, was also stabbed. Those same patrons cornered Yao and held him until police arrived.

Yao, a 2012 graduate of Winchester High School, is being held without bail and will be arraigned Monday in Woburn District Court. He is charged with murder and assault to attempt to murder with a dangerous weapon. The circumstances surrounding the stabbing, including the motive, are under investigation.

Photo and reporting by Bob Holmes.