North Carolina Man Faces Extradition in Fatal Stabbing of Housekeeper; Bizarre 911 Call Details Emerge

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. — A Virginia court has cleared the way for a North Carolina man to face trial in the fatal stabbing of his housekeeper last month, a case punctuated by a disturbing and bizarre 911 call released by local media.

Matthew Jared Vukmer, 54, waived extradition on Monday and will be returned to Orange County, North Carolina, where he is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Paula Tilley Floyd. The 54-year-old was attacked on March 6 in Vukmer's residence just outside Hillsborough.

According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, authorities responded after a 911 call from Vukmer's wife. In call records obtained by CBS 17 and The News & Observer, the wife told dispatchers she was at her desk when she heard a fall. She said she ran to find Vukmer allegedly stabbing Floyd, their long-term housekeeper.

"My husband... attacked our cleaning lady because he thought she was someone else," the wife is heard saying on the recording. In a chilling moment, Vukmer can allegedly be heard stating, "We got Vladimir Putin," before his wife cuts him off. She then reported that Vukmer "just got in the truck" and left the scene. Floyd was pronounced dead at the residence.

Vukmer was apprehended later that same day in Grayson County, Virginia, and has been held as a fugitive from justice. The motive remains under investigation, with the suspect's reference to the Russian president adding an unsettling layer to the case.

Floyd is remembered by her family and community as a vibrant, caring presence. Her obituary describes her love for dance, games, and an "impossible to ignore" zest for life. "To Paula, family was never limited to blood," it reads. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support her family.

The case highlights the vulnerabilities of domestic workers and the often-hidden nature of violence within private residences. Legal experts note that first-degree murder charges in North Carolina require proof of premeditation and deliberation, elements prosecutors will now seek to establish.

Community Reaction

David Chen, a local small business owner: "It's a horrific tragedy. Paula cleaned for several families in the neighborhood for years. She was always smiling, always kind. This has shaken our sense of safety. The details from that 911 call are just... inexplicable."

Reverend Sarah Miller, community advocate: "We are mourning a beautiful soul taken too soon. Our focus is on supporting Paula's family and ensuring domestic workers have access to resources and protections. Violence in the home, against anyone, is a profound breach of trust."

Mark Tolbert, a Hillsborough resident (sharper tone): "What kind of madness is this? 'We got Vladimir Putin'? This wasn't some random break-in; this was a man who allegedly killed a woman who worked in his own home for years. The system needs to ensure he never sees the outside of a prison cell again. And the wife's story about him 'going to get help' after stabbing someone? It defies belief."

Attorney General's office spokesperson: "We are committed to seeking justice for Paula Floyd. The extradition is the next step in a thorough judicial process."

It is not yet known if Vukmer has legal representation or has entered a plea. His return to North Carolina is expected in the coming days.