Vt. man allegedly duct-taped woman’s mouth, fatally stabbed her after inviting her over

COLCHESTER, Vt. (TCN) -- A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of fatally stabbing a 24-year-old woman he met on the internet after he reportedly told her he did not have money to pay her.

WPTZ-TV reports that on May 8 at 5:20 p.m., Colchester Police Department officers responded to a residence on Florence Drive regarding a disturbance and found a female deceased with apparent stab wounds. The victim’s mouth was also covered with duct tape.

The suspect, Elijah Compagna, allegedly found the victim on a prostitution website and invited her to his house. He reportedly said he just wanted to talk to her, not have sex. The victim asked for money and wanted to leave, then he reportedly attacked her.

According to court records cited by the Vermont Digger, Compagna lives with a caretaker, Tony Tsiba Kanga. Kanga told police they heard a woman screaming, and when he went upstairs, he reportedly found Campagna covered in blood. The man texted his wife to call 911. Officials found a switch knife on a bedroom counter.

Kanga said Compagna "is allowed to be alone for up to 30 hours at a time and is considered independent." He reportedly goes grocery shopping for Compagna, though Kanga said he could not go into further details about the type of care Compagna needs due to HIPAA regulations.

The victim reportedly showed up to Compagna’s house at 4:45 p.m., and about 15 minutes later, Kanga heard banging and shouting. He went to check on the situation, but Compagna’s door was locked. He went downstairs to find something to open the door with, and when he returned upstairs, Compagna opened the door. The victim was reportedly the first guest Compagna had over at the house since Kanga became his caretaker on April 11.

Officers arrested Compagna at the scene on a charge of first-degree murder and probation violation.

The Vermont Digger reports Compagna admitted to police, "I did it, it’s wrong. I shouldn’t have done it."

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