A woman in her 50s was found dead from stab wounds in her Daegu apartment early Tuesday, even though she was under police protection due to a stalking case. According to the Daegu Seongseo Police Station, a family member discovered her around 3:30 a.m. in her residence located in the city’s Dalseo District.
She was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead an hour later. Authorities have classified the case as a likely homicide and launched an investigation into how the attack occurred despite existing protective measures.
There were no signs of forced entry or theft, prompting police to suspect the man, who was already under investigation for stalking the victim. The suspect, in his 40s, had allegedly threatened her with a knife about a month earlier. Police believe he used a gas pipe to access the victim’s sixth-floor apartment before fleeing the scene.
The murder weapon has not yet been recovered. Authorities suspect the man has left Daegu and have requested assistance from nearby police stations in tracking him down. As of now, he remains at large.
The case has triggered public outrage over police handling of stalking incidents. Although a surveillance camera with facial recognition was installed outside the victim’s home, police were unaware of the attack until the victim’s family found her. Officials say the suspect appeared to wear a mask to avoid identification.
A police official declined to offer further information, citing the ongoing investigation. The incident has renewed calls for stronger protective measures for stalking victims and closer monitoring of suspects under investigation.
Before the killing, police had asked the court for an arrest warrant for the suspect, but the request was denied. The court stated that enough evidence had been gathered in the stalking case and that the suspect was cooperating with the investigation.
This decision is now under public scrutiny, as critics question whether stronger action could have prevented the victim’s death. The case has intensified debate over the justice system’s handling of stalking crimes and the need for better victim protection.
