Police: Man claims he fatally stabbed girlfriend in self-defense over argument about cutting onions

GRABILL, Ind. (WPTA/Gray News) – A 60-year-old man was charged after his girlfriend was stabbed to death in what officials said was an argument over cutting onions.

Police also said he had attempted to stage the scene of the crime before calling officers.

According to court documents, Charles Michael Calvert called 911 around 8:30 p.m. Saturday saying his girlfriend had “come at him with a knife” and was “no longer with us.” He told them he and his girlfriend had argued, both holding knives, when she came at him.

When officers arrived at the home, they said Calvert was standing in the driveway with his hands up and his phone in his hand.

When they entered the house, they found the woman, identified as Marsha Linsky, lying face down with a big gash on her head and neck. They were unable to detect a pulse.

After he was taken into custody, Calvert told officers he had been dating Linsky for about one year.

Before she was killed, Calvert said he was cutting onions and she told him he wasn’t doing it correctly and was getting “very aggressive.”

He said she shoved the slow cooker towards him and came at him with a knife, and he grabbed a knife as well, court documents said.

Calvert said he then “became very defensive” and didn’t remember any other details. He didn’t want to discuss it further and wanted an attorney, the documents said.

Officers noted Calvert had dried blood on his hands.

Police also said they received a call later from a man who said Calvert was his son. The man said Calvert called him and said he hurt his girlfriend and was going to call 911.

Officials obtained a search warrant and investigated the scene inside the home, where they found knives on the floor that they believe had been staged, as they were placed neatly next to the Linsky’s body.

Documents said one knife was covered in blood while the other was relatively clean. They said they saw an onion peel in the trash, but no chopped onions.

Police had also reportedly found a slow cooker spilled on the floor, a pair of men’s pants and a shirt that had blood on them, a pair of eyeglasses belonging to Linsky on the counter, and shoe scuff marks on the floor that seemed to indicate a struggle.

Investigators had also found blood in the shower, leading them to believe Calvert had showered and cleaned himself off before calling 911.

When examining Linsky’s body, along with the gashes on her neck, they noted there were several cuts on his lip, and her right thumb was nearly severed.

Investigators played back Calvert’s 911 call where he reportedly said several times that his girlfriend had become “very verbal” with him.

They noted that Calvert was very calm during the call and did not seem to feel any urgency even as he said she was no longer breathing.

Only Calvert and Linsky were inside the home that evening. He is currently facing one count of murder in the case.

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