An Orange County, North Carolina, man told a 911 dispatcher he “got Vladimir Putin” before abruptly leaving their home, moments after his wife discovered a woman stabbed to death inside the residence.
Authorities identified the suspect as Matthew Jared Vukmer, 53, who is accused of killing 41-year-old housekeeper Paula Floyd at his home in Orange County, North Carolina. His wife, Tatyana Vukmer, 50, made the 911 call that alerted authorities to the situation. Tatyana later said she thought Matthew left to get help.
According to investigators, on Friday, March 6, Tatyana was working from home when she heard a sound as if someone had fallen. She contacted 911 and said,
My husband was upstairs, and he said he heard someone and came down. He attacked our cleaning lady because he thought she was someone else!
via WNCN
Matthew is heard in the background of the call, mentioning Putin.
Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded to the residence, where they found Floyd suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.
Floyd was close to the family
A man wanted in a North Carolina murder investigation was arrested in Grayson County, Virginia, on Friday, authorities said. https://t.co/RRRputrsbw
— News 5 WCYB (@news5wcyb) March 7, 2026
Floyd, described in reports as a housekeeper who had worked with the family, had longstanding ties to the household. Her killing has sent shockwaves through the local community, where residents say such violence is rare.
Investigators quickly identified Matthew as the primary suspect in the case. Authorities launched a search for him shortly after the 911 call, issuing alerts as they worked to locate him.
Law enforcement later took Matthew into custody following a manhunt that extended beyond Orange County into Grayson County, Virginia, roughly 150 miles from the scene of the crime. Officials have not detailed the circumstances of his arrest, but confirmed he was apprehended without further incident.
Matthew has since been charged with murder and is being held in custody as the case moves forward through the court system. Jail records indicate he is being held without bond pending further proceedings.
Authorities have not publicly established a motive for the killing, and it remains unclear what led to the fatal attack. Investigators have also not explained why Matthew allegedly referenced Putin before leaving the home.
Matthew is a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, cited by investigators when looking into potential mental health crises or “warning signs” leading up to the incident.
Detectives continue to examine the timeline leading up to the stabbing, including what occurred inside the home before the call was made.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has asked anyone with information about the case or Vukmer’s movements before his arrest to come forward.
