ST. CLOUD, MN – A 23-year-old woman faces murder charges after police say she fatally stabbed her boyfriend in what authorities describe as an argument that quickly spiraled out of control at her apartment early Monday morning.

Katerina Ivanovna Markiv was arrested and charged with second-degree murder following the death of 25-year-old Quinton McKay Hughes. According to court documents, a 911 call came in just after 4 a.m. from Hughes, who told emergency dispatchers he had been accidentally stabbed as the result of what he called a “minor disagreement.” During the call, Hughes briefly spoke with dispatchers before his breathing became labored, prompting Markiv to take over the phone and describe the location of his injury.

Officers responded to the scene at an apartment complex in the 1200 block of Washington Memorial Drive, where they found Hughes unresponsive, suffering from a stab wound to the chest. Authorities noted there was a significant amount of blood on both Hughes and the surrounding area. Life-saving efforts by emergency personnel were unsuccessful, and Hughes was pronounced dead at the scene.

In subsequent interviews with investigators, Markiv said she and Hughes were coworkers who began dating in October. According to her account, Hughes had picked her up from work the evening before, and the two spent the night together at her residence. Markiv admitted to drinking throughout the night.

Markiv allegedly told detectives that the fatal dispute began when she expressed a desire for intimacy, but Hughes was not interested. This led to what she described as a pointless argument, which escalated after she felt her boyfriend was repeatedly interrupting her attempts to explain her feelings.

According to the criminal complaint, Markiv was holding a knife during the argument and, in a moment of frustration, swung it at Hughes. She claimed she only intended to “scratch” him and didn’t anticipate the gravity of her action, describing her movement as an uncontrolled reflex.

After the stabbing, Markiv urged Hughes to call 911 while she attempted to stanch the bleeding. She reportedly told authorities that she did not intend for him to die.

Investigators also spoke with two coworkers, who offered insights into Markiv’s temperament. One described her as prone to become agitated or displeased at work, while another recounted a recent conversation in which Markiv stated she could become so upset that she might harm someone.

Markiv was taken into custody at the scene and transported to the Stearns County Jail, where she remains held. She is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.