Victim In Fatal CTA Red Line Stabbing Identified

By Stephen Gossett in News on Jun 24, 2016 2:47PM

Jessica Hampton / Facebook

The woman stabbed to death on Thursday on the CTA Red Line has been identified by her family as 25-year-old Jessica Hampton, ABC7 reports. She was the mother of a young daughter, according to reports.

The stabbing occurred around 12:30 p.m. on a southbound train near the 47th Street station, Chicago police said. She was pronounced dead at the scene and one person of interest was taken into custody.

Police said the stabbing was "domestic in nature," but members of Hampton's family have denied knowing the suspect. Witnesses said they had seen the offender ride the train often.

The suspect reportedly asked Hampton about having children. When she said no, he began attacking.

"He asked the young lady a question, she said no, and he got up and started stabbing her," said witness Andrea Patterson, according to ABC7. "She fell toward the floor and he slit her neck... As the doors opened on the train, he walked off, stepped over her body and walked off like nothing happened."

Patterson was later informed that she and the victim are cousins, according to the Tribune.

Police and community leaders are urging all witnesses to come forward.

The stabbing was the first death on CTA property since March 16, 2013, when a man was beaten to death at the 43rd Street Green Line station.

This post has been updated.