Arizona – In a chilling case in Arizona, 52-year-old woman, identified as T. Rudeseal, has been arrested after slicing the throat of her longtime partner open and then confessing she hoped he would die. Police have charged Rudeseal with attempted murder and aggravated assault, saying the brutal attack was intentional and driven by deep-seated rage.
Rudeseal was formally booked into the county jail on charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault. Authorities say she wielded a large folding knife and deliberately cut the victim from just below the ear to the center of his neck. The bond was set at $1 million, reflecting the severity of the allegations. According to the criminal complaint, during her initial 911 call and later to investigators, Rudeseal made chilling statements that underscored her deadly intentions. Among them: “I did just try to murder you” and “today is my Independence Day.” As officers questioned her, she reportedly said, “God, I hope he is dead; it’d be a favor to me, his wife, and children.” She allegedly added, “I planned on doing the other side and then stabbing him in the heart.” Those words helped solidify the prosecutor’s case that this was no accident or momentary loss of control, but a cold, premeditated act.
The incident occurred on Thanksgiving evening, just after 8:00 p.m., in an apartment complex. According to police, Rudeseal called 911 claiming she had attacked her boyfriend. When officers and emergency medical teams arrived, they found the man bleeding from a deep neck wound. Nearby, they recovered a large folding knife, believed to be the weapon used in the crime.
The victim, whose name has not been publicly released, told investigators that he and Rudeseal had been together for 11 years. He said they had argued earlier in the day, and that she struggled with depression — particularly around holidays. He told officers he had been asleep when the attack happened and woke up in shock, feeling a sharp pain in his neck. Believing he might die, he used his shirt to press on the wound and stem the flow of blood until help arrived. Emergency surgery at a local hospital saved his life; doctors described the injury as life-threatening, but said he is expected to recover physically.
Authorities noted that before she was taken into custody, Rudeseal threatened to continue her attack, indicating she intended to kill him, not just injure him. The overwhelming evidence, such as the victim’s statements, the weapon recovered at the crime scene and her own incriminating statements, gave moving grounds for arrest and serious charges. As of now, Rudeseal remains in jail on the $1 million bond. Prosecutors say she will face trial on the attempted murder and aggravated assault charges. Whether she will attempt an insanity defense or argue diminished responsibility remains unclear, though her prior depression — referenced by the victim — may factor into her legal strategy.
The surviving victim is recovering, and investigators are working to verify whether there were prior unreported incidents of violence or threats during the long-term relationship. Police also urged anyone with information about past abuse or alarming behavior from Rudeseal to come forward, as part of a broader effort to uncover potential patterns. The violent nature of the crime, combined with Rudeseal’s own chilling admissions, has sparked fear and outrage. Neighbors and friends have described the couple as quiet and relatively normal prior to the incident, making the attack all the more shocking. For many in the apartment complex, the notion that someone could turn on a partner — and nearly take his life — is terrifying.
This case stands as a harsh reminder that domestic abuse can escalate suddenly even in relationships that might outwardly seem stable. The fact that Rudeseal felt able to call 911 after the act, and even admitted she hoped for her partner’s death, underscores the cold calculation behind the violence. As legal proceedings begin, authorities, neighbors, and community members alike await answers: Was this a one-time outburst, or the culmination of hidden years of control and violence? Regardless of what the court finds, the 11‑year relationship has ended in tragedy — and a man will spend the rest of his life recovering from a wound that could easily have ended him.
