Woman faces murder charge in stabbing of ex-husband

INDEPENDENCE - A woman armed with a knife and razor blades sneaked into the home of her former husband and their son early Monday, then stabbed the man to death and took the boy, authorities said.

Hillary Lee Hunziker, 32, of Independence, was accused of first-degree murder in the death of her former husband, Jason Allen Hunziker, also of Independence.

The son, whose age and name were not disclosed, was later found with her in Robins, a court record shows, covered in blood but apparently uninjured.

The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office said dispatchers received a call at 4:34 a.m. from a child who told them, 'My mom just stabbed my dad.”

As rescue crews were on their way to the home at 1933 Henley Ave. in Independence, dispatchers received another call, this time from Jason Hunziker. 'My wife just stabbed me and took my child,” he said.

By the time emergency personnel arrived, however, Jason Hunziker was dead in a bedroom, authorities said. He had 'large lacerations to his left arm and left calf,” a report said.

Investigators noted the wounds 'were consistent with lacerations ... from a knife or other bladed device,” although an autopsy was pending.

Shortly after the discovery, authorities found Hillary Hunziker, the son and her vehicle in Robins. Records do not disclose where in Robins they were found. But she, too, was covered in blood, records show, and was in possession of a knife that could have caused the wounds.

Authorities said Hillary Hunziker admitted to stabbing her ex-husband, and she told them she had additional knives and razor blades.

She was transported by ambulance for treatment of a cut to her hand. While in the ambulance, court records show, Hillary Hunziker explained that she had planned the stabbing by buying a knife at Walmart. She said she wore 'black boots that were quiet” to sneak into Jason Hunziker's unlocked house after parking down the road 'to avoid detection.”

An affidavit shows that on Sunday night, Hillary Hunziker gave her mother 'specific instructions” on where to take the child 'should something happen” to her or her ex-husband.

Then, just before 6 a.m. Monday, officials said Hillary Hunziker contacted her mother again and said she would need to take the child.

According to the court record, when her mother asked what she had done, Hillary Hunziker replied with one word: 'Artery.”

She was being held Monday in the Buchanan County Jail. The first-degree murder charge is a Class A felony.

Records do not show who now has custody of the son.