Ukrainian Refugee and US Soldier Brutally Murdered in Valentine's Day Attack
A Ukrainian refugee who fled her war-torn homeland for safety in America has been brutally murdered alongside her US soldier boyfriend in a Valentine's Day attack that unfolded before her young siblings' eyes, according to law enforcement officials.
Double Homicide in North Carolina Apartment
Kateryna Tovmash, a 21-year-old Ukrainian refugee who went by Kate in the United States, and her boyfriend Matthew Wade, a 28-year-old soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, were discovered dead inside her Vass, North Carolina apartment at approximately 7:45am on Saturday morning. Moore County deputies responded to the scene to find the tragic aftermath of what authorities are calling a premeditated attack.
The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Caleb Fosnaugh, Tovmash's ex-boyfriend, was apprehended hours later in Ohio after being pulled over for a routine traffic stop by state troopers. The Coshocton County Sheriff's Office confirmed they had been contacted by Moore County authorities regarding the double homicide and moved swiftly to detain the suspect.
Cross-State Journey of Violence
Investigators believe Fosnaugh traveled approximately seven hours from his Ohio residence to forcibly enter Tovmash's apartment, where she had been caring for her younger siblings who had followed her to America to escape the conflict in Ukraine. According to witness accounts, the young children unknowingly allowed Fosnaugh into their home, unaware of the horrific violence that would soon unfold before them.
"He forced one of our siblings to wake her, then shot her in her bed, taking her life," revealed Tovmash's brother Misha in an emotional Instagram post. "He also shot her boyfriend, who was sleeping next to her."
The brutal attack occurred in the presence of Tovmash's six-year-old brother, according to family friend Kirill Pryshchepchuk, who described growing up with Tovmash in Ukraine before she relocated to the United States to escape the war.
Refugee Seeking Safety Finds Tragedy
Tovmash had established a new life in America as a devout Mormon, embracing activities including piano playing, photography, and travel while dedicating herself to caring for her younger siblings. Pryshchepchuk recalled her nurturing nature, noting she would eagerly volunteer to look after children in any setting.
"She came here because of the war, to hide from death and the danger," Pryshchepchuk told reporters. "This is not normal."
The tragedy struck while Tovmash's father and brothers were in Utah, where Misha was participating in a state wrestling competition. He described receiving the devastating news through a series of frantic phone calls that culminated in his father's tearful revelation of his sister's murder.
Pattern of Violence Against Ukrainian Refugees
Misha highlighted the disturbing pattern of violence targeting Ukrainian refugees in North Carolina, noting this marked the second such incident within a year following the stabbing death of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska in August. Despite his grief, Misha expressed gratitude that his younger siblings present during the attack were physically unharmed.
"As much as I can be mad, upset and wroth with God about what happened, I am thankful the murderer didn't touch any of my younger siblings who were at the house during that time," he wrote.
Legal Proceedings and Community Response
Fosnaugh currently faces charges of breaking and entering along with two counts of murder, and is being held without bond at the Coshocton County Jail while awaiting extradition to North Carolina. Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields described the incident as "a tragic and senseless loss of life" and expressed appreciation for the coordinated law enforcement response.
The family is now working to transport Tovmash's remains to Utah for burial, with friends establishing a GoFundMe campaign that had raised over $20,200 by Monday evening to cover funeral expenses and transportation costs.
This heartbreaking case underscores the vulnerability of refugees seeking safety while highlighting the devastating consequences of domestic violence and jealousy-driven attacks that have shattered a family already displaced by conflict.
