MELBOURNE, Fla. — A woman is accused of stabbing and killing her mother Wednesday night with a large knife.
Melbourne police responded late Wednesday night to a 911 call that said a murder had just taken place.
Police said Lisa Gaye Leikvold, 57, of Palm Bay, killed her mother, Laverne Hoffman, 84, with a large kitchen knife.
911 Call: Melbourne woman stabbed
The 911 call was made by a friend who was visiting Hoffman. He said he was gone for about 30 to 45 minutes, picking up fast food for dinner, and came back to find Hoffman stabbed to death.
Initial reports said Hoffman was found lying on her back in her bedroom with a knife in her chest.
Police said Leikvold, who was found on a couch inside the home, cooperated with officers.
"Her arrest was based on the physical evidence that was seen at the house as well as statements made by her and witnesses on the scene," Melbourne Police Commander Dan Lynch said.
"Nobody ever thought anything like this. (I'm) shocked, very much so," neighbor Bobbie Cantrell said.
One neighbor said Leikvold has a history of mental health issues and court records show she was involuntarily placed under mental health care in 2012.
"Lisa's had some mental problems, let's just say, but I've never known her to be violent," Cantrell said.
Investigators said ongoing family strife points to the motivation behind the murder and charged Leikvold with first-degree premeditated murder.
"She led us to believe there were a multitude of problems anywhere from money to mistreatment growing up. Your basic family strife," Lynch said.
Leikvold appeared before a judge Thursday and said she wanted to die. She also refused a lawyer, but was appointed one.
Leikvold is being held without bond.
WFTV
