Luerkens to be arraigned May 26 in fatal Marion Hy-Vee stabbing

CEDAR RAPIDS — The arraignment for the Cedar Rapids man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend at the Marion Hy-Vee while be arraigned later this month.

According to court documents, the arraignment for 32-year-old Nicholas Luerkens has been scheduled for May 26. Luerkens has been charged with first-degree murder.

Luerkens is accused of stabbing to death 29-year-old Lynnsey Donald on April 21 at the Marion Hy-Vee. Police said Luerkens ambushed Donald in the parking lot and stabbed her multiple times with a large knife. Luerkens then tried to kill himself by stabbing himself in the stomach. He was released from the hospital after undergoing surgery for his injuries.

Police said multiple witnesses saw the fatal attack. Family members have also said Donald's 7-year-old son also saw the fatal stabbing, but that information has not been included in court documents and police have not commented on that aspect of the case.

Marion police have said that Donald and Luerkens lived together at one time, but she moved out months before the attack. Her relatives describe Luerkens as a former boyfriend.

Police said they have served search warrants at Luerkens' Cedar Rapids residence, as well as his car, which police said he drove to Hy-Vee. Officials have not commented on what evidence was found in the car or residence.

Trial information filed on May 8 lists 19 state witnesses in the case. A trial date will be set after the arraignment.

If convicted of first-degree murder, Luerkens would spend the rest of his life in prison.