Woman killed in Orange County stabbing was suspect’s housekeeper, investigators say
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- Suspect Matthew Vukmer arrested in Virginia after fatal Orange County stabbing.
- Vukmer faces first-degree murder charge and awaits extradition to North Carolina.
- Sheriff urges public to call 911 with tips; task force credited for swift arrest.
An Orange County man accused of stabbing his housekeeper to death in his home Friday morning was arrested in Virginia Friday afternoon.
Matthew Jared Vukmer, 53, faces a charge of first-degree murder in the killing of Paula Floyd, 54, in the Wyngate community, southeast of Hillsborough, the Sheriff’s Office said Friday. Vukmer fled the county after the incident.
Vukmer was taken into custody at around 5:15 p.m., by the U.S. Marshals Carolina Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Capital Area Regional Task Force in Grayson County, Virginia, according to a news release Friday evening.
Vukmer awaits extradition to North Carolina, which may take several weeks, the Sheriff’s Office said.
“I am proud of the work our investigators did today,” Sheriff Charles Blackwood said. “Our task force agreement with our federal partners once again served as a force multiplier, allowing us to quickly apprehend the suspect.”
“We know the family and friends of Paula Floyd experienced a life-shattering event today, and we continue to extend our condolences,” he said. “It is our hope that they take some small measure of comfort knowing that her assailant is in custody.”
Investigators said Floyd worked as a longtime housekeeper for Vukmer, according to ABC11, The News & Observer’s newsgathering partner.
Vukmer’s wife called police after hearing a confrontation between the two. She went to check on them and found Floyd lying on the floor and Vukmer gone, ABC11 reported.
Investigator T. Hall is the contact person for this case. If you have any relevant information, please call him at 919-245-2905.
This story was originally published March 6, 2026 at 4:23 PM.
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