TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A 39-year-old Terre Haute woman now faces a charge of murder following the death of her cousin from an stab wound.
According to court documents filed against Nichola Leroy, Terre Haute Police found the victim, Wasu Laplante, laying in a pool blood in a hallway of the S. 20th Street residence after being dispatched for a stabbing.
Leroy was the one who called 911 and remained on the phone with dispatchers as officers arrived.
“Officer McBride asked her who stabbed him. She said she had stabbed him,” a probable cause affidavit reads. “Nichola sat down and remained on the phone. Nichola said, ‘he came at me.’ Officer McBride asked where she stabbed him. She stated ‘in the chest.'”
Officers located a stab wound in Laplante’s upper left side of his chest. The PCA said they attempted to give Laplante medical aid, but a pulse could not be found using AED pads.
Police reportedly found a knife they believed to be the one used to stab Laplante in the kitchen sink among other dishes.
“The knife was silver and appeared to have blood on it. The knife and a plastic cup were sitting in a bowl of water. The water filled part of the bowl. Majority of the knife and handle was exposed,” the PCA reads.
Leroy was then placed under arrest and taken to the Vigo County Jail. The PCA noted that a search of the home located red stains, but otherwise no obvious signs of a physical struggle. While taking photos and swab samples from Leroy, the officer noted that she did not appear to have any physical injuries.
Court records show that Leroy faces a charge of murder as well as a level 3 felony charge of aggravated battery. During an initial hearing Thursday, a not-guilty plea was entered on Leroy’s behalf, and a future hearing was set for 10 a.m. on December 4.
Leroy is being held without bond.
