MEAD, Wash. — The ex-girlfriend of a man who was found dead inside a Mead home over the weekend has been arrested and charged with his murder.
According to the Spokane County Sheriff's Office, 37-year-old Cynthia Khaleel is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree burglary, assault in violation of a domestic violence order and violating a no contact order. The charges stem from her allegedly stabbing and killing 40-year-old Justin Daniel, her ex-boyfriend and father of one of her children, inside his Mead home on April 13.
Just before 2 a.m. on Saturday, the sheriff's office received a report of a burglary taking place at a house in the 15100 block of North Wilson Court in Mead. Callers told dispatch they heard yelling, loud bangs and possible gun shots. When deputies arrived, they found a man they believed to be the homeowner dead inside. The man was later identified as Daniel.
RELATED: One man found dead inside Mead home
Detectives learned through their investigation that Daniel was stabbed "an excessive number of times" and was shot several times. Deputies searched the home and the surrounding area for a suspect but did not find anyone. Approximately one hour later, however, they received a report that a woman, later identified as Khaleel, had just been admitted for treatment of non-life-threatening stab wounds.
Through their investigation, detectives learned Daniel and Khaleel were involved in a custody battle involving a two-year-old child they had together. Probable cause was established to charge Khaleel with Daniel's murder and several other felony charges.
A teenage girl, believed to be the victim's daughter, was inside the house sleeping but left when the incident started. She was not injured.
Josh Daniel, Justin's older brother, told KREM 2 his brother was his best friend and the person he did everything with. Although his brother his gone, Josh Daniel said he wants to carry on his legacy of compassion, community and loyalty.
"Everything he did was really just to bless others," he said. "He was there day and night, 24/7. If you needed him, he was a phone call away."
In addition to the two-year-old Justin shared with Khaleel, he had two other daughters, all of whom Josh Daniel said he loved very much. All of Justin's daughters know their dad is still with them; Josh Daniel said he has spoken with all of them, and they know their dad is still with them.
The entire Daniel family has faced an overwhelming amount of loss this year, losing their father on Jan. 10 and their grandma in February. Justin's unprecedented murder was yet another blow.
"Never in a million years did any of us, I mean, this is not something that our family would even fathom," Josh Daniel said. "We just pray that justice will be served. We'll just we'll just carry on Justin's legacy as he would want us to."
At this time, Khaleel has not been booked into the Spokane County Jail but is in custody and receiving treatment at an undisclosed location, according to the sheriff's office.
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