Wilmington Police have arrested two men in connection with Sunday’s fatal stabbing incident.
Officials said on February 11 at approximately 7:30 a.m., police were called to the 500 Block of South Franklin Street (Kosciuszko Park) in reference to a 59-year-old female who was deceased at that location.
Investigators began a death investigation in conjunction with the Delaware Division of Forensic Sciences, which determined on February 12 that the victim’s death was the result of a fatal stabbing incident. The victim was subsequently identified as Barbara Williams.
The case was assigned to Detective Joseph Wicks of the Criminal Investigations Division. Through the course of his investigation, Detective Wicks determined that the fatal stabbing incident took place inside of a residence in the 1300 block of Lancaster Avenue, and that the victim’s remains were subsequently brought to the park in the 500 block of South Franklin Street police said.
Investigators identified 35-year-old Steven Byrd as a suspect, and took him into custody without incident on February 13. He has been charged with Murder (First Degree), Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited, and Tampering with Physical Evidence.
Byrd was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 20, and was committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $2,368,172 cash-only bail.
Police also identified 29-year-old Joseph Welsh as a second suspect, and determined that he assisted Byrd in transporting the victim’s remains according to police. He was taken into custody without incident on February 14 and has been charged with Tampering with Physical Evidence and Conspiracy (Second Degree).
He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 20 and was committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $10,000 secured bail.