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Police: Woman Fatally Stabbed Uncle's Girlfriend Because She Was Too Young

CHICAGO (STMW) -- A south suburban woman was ordered held on $750,000 bond after she fatally stabbed a woman during a family party Monday night in Riverdale, police said.

Natassia Pettis, 32, was charged was with first-degree murder in connection with the stabbing of 19-year-old Keianna Paul during a family gathering in the 14100 block of South Dearborn, said Riverdale Deputy Chief Rocky Graziano.

"This young lady was killed because she was dating an older gentleman. He was in his 50s and had recently left his wife," Graziano said. "Some of his family didn't like that too much, and there were several skirmishes."

During one of the skirmishes, Pettis grabbed a knife and fatally stabbed Paul, Graziano said. Pettis is the man's niece, Graziano said.

Paul, who lives on that same block where she was killed, was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where she was pronounced dead at 10:10 p.m., the Cook County medical examiner's office said.

An autopsy Tuesday found Paul died of a stab wound to the chest and ruled her death a homicide, the medical examiner's office said.

Pettis, who also lives in the 14100 block of South Dearborn, is next scheduled to appear at the Markham Courthouse March 19.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2015. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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