Man Charged in Connection with Fatal Winchester Stabbing

WINCHESTER – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Winchester Chief of Police Peter MacDonnell have confirmed that Jeffrey Yao, 23 of Winchester has been arrested in connection with a double stabbing that occurred this morning at Winchester Public Library. Yao has been charged with one count of armed assault with intent to murder and one count of murder.

Shortly after 10:30 a.m. this morning Winchester Police responded to the Winchester Public Library for a report that two people had been stabbed. Upon arrival police located a 22-year-old female and a 77-year-old male, both Winchester residents, suffering from stab wounds. Both victims were transported to area hospitals. The female victim subsequently died from her injuries. The male victim remains hospitalized.

The preliminary investigation suggests that the female victim was seated at a table in the library when the suspect approached her, unprovoked, stabbing her multiple times. The male victim was stabbed in the arm while attempting to intervene.

Yao was placed into custody at the Library and transported to Winchester Police Department. The circumstances surrounding the stabbing, including the motive are under investigation. 

The identity of the female victim is being withheld at this time pending next of kin notification.

Yao is being held without bail until his arraignment on Monday in Woburn District Court.

This is an open investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Winchester Police and State Police assigned to the District Attorney’s Office.