(BARTLESVILLE, Okla.) - KRMG is learning more about the details behind one of the worst cases of domestic abuse that Bartlesville police have ever seen.
The nightmare began late Wednesday night.
“The daughter, who had escaped the house while her mother was being assaulted, and she was able to run to the neighbors and get them to call for help,” said Capt. Jay Hastings with the Bartlesville Police Department.
"We ran after her and we asked her what was wrong and she said 'You need to help my mom because he's killing her,'" the neighbor said.
The neighbor told FOX23 News that a 15-year-old girl knocked on their door just before midnight, screaming, crying and begging for help.
Investigators say 35-year old Steven Adair repeatedly stabbed his 23-year old step-son in the front yard, right in front of neighbors, after he showed up to defend his mother.
Investigators found the suspect sitting on a bench in the backyard.
Detectives had to wait awhile before going inside the house to get a look at the crime scene.
“They immediately smelled natural gas and there were candles lit in the home,” said Capt. Hastings.
Firefighters were called in to shut off the gas.
Adair’s wife, Crystal Adair, died from stab wounds at the hospital.
The 15-year old step-daughter was also stabbed, but is in a Tulsa hospital and is doing ok.
Adair was arrested on two complaints of first degree murder and one complaint of aggravated assault with a weapon.
Crystal’s Facebook page has a lot of pictures of the couple. However, her last post was on the subject of divorce.
Police tell us Adair stabbed the victims because his wife wanted to end the marriage.