CHARGES: He Killed Daughter’s Boyfriend, Held Ex Hostage In Maplewood Apartment

Sep 7

A man is facing murder and assault charges after police say he fatally stabbed his daughter’s boyfriend and held his ex-partner captive inside a Maplewood apartment.

According to a criminal complaint filed Friday in Ramsey County, 52-year-old Lloyd Matthew McKenzie is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of second-degree assault for the incident.

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Police were called around 5:50 p.m. to an apartment building at 1996 County Road D East, where they found a 33-year-old man lying outside an apartment door and with stab wounds to his chest and abdomen.

Officers spoke with the victim’s girlfriend, who said her mother had been held inside the unit by McKenzie, her father. She told investigators that her boyfriend and her cousin had come to check on her mother after not hearing from her for several days. When McKenzie instead opened the apartment door, the woman said she blocked it with her foot and her mother immediately shouted from inside, “Thank you, God!”

McKenzie allegedly grabbed a steak knife and stabbed the boyfriend while in the doorway, then tried to stab the cousin, who was able to dodge the attack.

Officers later forced entry into the apartment and arrested McKenzie as the woman’s mother ran out, distraught and thanking police, the court documents say. She told investigators McKenzie had broken into her apartment days earlier, held her there against her will and forced her to remain unclothed. She said he repeatedly punched her, threatened her with a screwdriver, strangled her and followed her constantly inside the unit.

The woman said McKenzie allowed her out of the apartment briefly for errands, but otherwise kept her there and took her car keys and phone. She told investigators she tried to calm McKenzie during her captivity to prevent further assaults.

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Investigators later found a serrated kitchen knife with blood on it hidden under a mattress. The victim was taken to Regions Hospital, where he died in surgery at 1:56 a.m. Friday. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner determined his death was a homicide caused by blood loss from stab wounds.

McKenzie initially told police that he and his ex had been on a drug binge. When her daughter, her daughter’s boyfriend and her nephew arrived, the boyfriend allegedly pulled a gun on him. He claimed the gun misfired and that he acted in self-defense. He refused to answer when asked directly if he stabbed the man.

Court records show McKenzie has 14 prior felony convictions including seven for violent crimes like assault, burglary and robbery. Prosecutors say they intend to seek aggravated sentencing for McKenzie if convicted.

A judge ordered McKenzie held in custody on $5 million bail. If convicted, he faces up to 40 years in prison on each murder charge and up to seven years on the assault count.

Authorities have not yet released the identity of the victim. A booking photo for McKenzie was not yet available as of Sunday afternoon.

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