GRESHAM, Ore. (KOIN) — Less than 24 hours after a young man’s body was found in Gresham, a 19-year-old woman was arrested and accused of murder.
Gresham police said Ariana Marlene Cortez was taken into custody late Sunday after Otoniel “Tony” Hernandez-Duarte was killed a just after 4:30 a.m. Sunday.
Detectives believe the 2 got into a fight during a house party on NE 183rd Ave. Cortez reportedly had a knife that she used to stab Hernandez-Duarte.
He went to a nearby apartment for help, where he later lost consciousness and died. He had been bleeding heavily from his neck and according to police, died from multiple stab wounds.
Neighbors told authorities they heard noises coming from the residence where the incident took place. Police went to the home and found a broken window, but nobody was there.
They learned the home belonged to Cortez and were later able to speak with her. According to court documents, Cortez told authorities she was having a house party, and Hernandez-Duarte was “going crazy” and breaking decorations. She said he had a knife.
At one point, she also grabbed a knife and told officers she blacked out, unable to remember what happened. According to court documents, Cortez later admitted she “stabbed the guy,” in a phone call to her mother.
A neighbor told KOIN 6 News Cortez has had trouble in the past.
Hernandez-Duarte leaves behind a young daughter and sisters who love him.
“He had a big heart,” Alma Hernandez said. “He always cared about people, you know.”
“We all loved him,” said Alondra Guerrero. “He didn’t deserve to die the way he did.”
The sisters said they could hardly believe it when they heard he was killed.
“I was just shaking. I just didn’t want to believe that he was gone,” Hernandez said.
“It’s just sad that he won’t be experiencing anything else with us,” Guerrero said.
