St. Cloud Police identified 25-year-old Quinton McKay Hughes of Sauk Rapids as the victim fatally stabbed in a domestic incident early Monday, December 8, 2025, at an apartment in the 1200 block of Washington Memorial Drive.
Officers responded around 4 a.m. to a 911 call where Hughes reported a minor disagreement before the attack, finding him with a chest stab wound despite initial lifesaving efforts. He was pronounced dead at the scene, marking St. Cloud’s fifth homicide of the year.
The altercation escalated during an argument after Markiv, Hughes’s girlfriend since October, had been drinking overnight, according to the criminal complaint filed in Stearns County District Court.
Markiv, 23, grabbed a knife intending to scratch him but stated something triggered her, leading to the fatal plunge; she applied pressure to the wound until police arrived. A co-worker described Markiv as emotional with admitted anger issues, though no prior threats were specified.
Authorities arrested Katerina Ivanovna Markiv at the scene without resistance, charging her Tuesday with two counts of second-degree murder for intent and during felony assault. She remains in Stearns County Jail as the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension assists the ongoing probe into circumstances, confirming the relationship and no public threat. The isolated event highlights domestic violence risks in Central Minnesota.
Quinton McKay Hughes, a Sauk Rapids native, balanced local employment with a grounded routine, though specific professional details remain private amid family grief. He pursued everyday pursuits in the Benton County community, fostering quiet connections through shared routines. No public education records surfaced, reflecting his low-profile young adulthood focused on stability.
Family details for Hughes are limited to his recent partnership with Markiv, with no further personal insights released respecting privacy during investigation. His lifestyle centered on routine commutes between Sauk Rapids and St. Cloud, embracing simple Midwestern hobbies like outdoor walks. Colleagues noted his steady presence at their shared workplace, underscoring a life of unassuming reliability.
As Stearns County processes this loss, resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline urge support for those affected, emphasizing prevention amid rising awareness. Community leaders call for enhanced intervention programs in Stearns and Benton Counties. Hughes’s memory endures through calls for justice and safer homes in the region.