Ukrainian Refugee and Military Boyfriend Shot Dead in Valentine's Day Attack
A Ukrainian refugee and her military boyfriend were brutally murdered in their bed on Valentine's Day morning in North Carolina, according to local law enforcement officials. The double homicide occurred when the woman's former lover broke into her home and opened fire on the sleeping couple.
Tragic Details of the Valentine's Day Shooting
Kateryna Tovmash, a 21-year-old Ukrainian refugee residing in Vass, North Carolina, and Matthew Wade, a 28-year-old soldier from Hamilton, Mississippi, were killed in the early hours of Saturday morning. The shooting took place at Tovmash's residence in the Woodlake community near Raleigh.
Moore County Sheriff's deputies responded to reports of gunfire at a property on Daphne Lane around 7:45 am on Saturday. Upon arrival, officers discovered two deceased individuals inside the home. According to social media posts from Wade's sister, Megan Wade, the couple was found dead together in bed.
The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Caleb Hayden Fosnaugh from Ohio, allegedly drove seven hours from his home state to North Carolina before breaking into Tovmash's residence. According to family accounts, Fosnaugh forced one of Tovmash's younger siblings to wake her before shooting both victims.
Interstate Manhunt and Arrest
Following the shooting, Fosnaugh fled the scene in a white 2018 Ford Mustang, prompting law enforcement to issue warnings that he should be considered armed and dangerous. Authorities suspected he was attempting to return to Ohio, launching an extensive interstate manhunt involving multiple agencies.
The coordinated effort included the Moore County Sheriff's Office, Coshocton County Sheriff's Office in Ohio, Ohio State Highway Patrol, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. By Saturday evening, Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields announced that Fosnaugh had been taken into custody in Ohio.
"This is a tragic and senseless loss of life," Sheriff Fields stated. "Our hearts go out to the families of the victims during this difficult time. We are grateful for the swift coordination and assistance from our law enforcement partners in bringing this individual into custody."
Family Grief and Community Support
Matthew Wade's sisters expressed profound grief over their brother's murder. Megan Wade described receiving "the call that my brother is gone" as "unbearable." She remembered her brother as "such a kind, loving, caring man" who would "give you the shirt off his back, even if it was his last one."
Another sister, Courtney Miller, highlighted the financial burden facing Tovmash's family, who had fled the ongoing war in Ukraine. While Wade's funeral costs will be covered by military benefits, Tovmash's family requires assistance. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help cover funeral expenses for the young refugee.
"Life is so unfair," Megan Wade wrote. "No one should ever get a call saying their loved one was murdered. Especially not over something as small as jealousy."
Second Ukrainian Refugee Killing in Six Months
This tragic incident marks the second violent death of a Ukrainian refugee in North Carolina within just six months. Last August, 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska was fatally stabbed on public transportation in Charlotte. That killing sparked national outrage and renewed debates about public safety, with former President Donald Trump calling for the death penalty for her attacker.
The parallel between these two cases highlights the vulnerability of refugees who have escaped conflict zones only to face violence in their new country. Both incidents have raised questions about community safety and support systems for displaced populations.
Investigation Continues and Charges Filed
Moore County officials confirmed that their investigation into Saturday's double homicide "remains active," with detectives continuing to work on determining the full circumstances that led to the shooting. Caleb Hayden Fosnaugh has been charged with breaking and entering along with two counts of murder, though authorities have not specified when he will be returned to North Carolina to face these charges.
The tragic Valentine's Day killing has left two families devastated and a community grappling with another senseless act of violence against those who had already endured the trauma of fleeing war-torn Ukraine.
