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Woman’s Chilling 911 Call After Brutally Attacking Sleeping Boyfriend Stuns Police
Mugshot of a woman involved in a chilling 911 call after brutally attacking her sleeping boyfriend.

Woman’s Chilling 911 Call After Brutally Attacking Sleeping Boyfriend Stuns Police

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A 52-year-old woman from Arizona reportedly slit her boyfriend’s throat on Thanksgiving and confessed to the attack to a 911 operator.

According to court documents, Tamala Rudeseal called 911 shortly after 8 p.m. on Thursday (November 27) and told the operator, “Today is my Independence Day.”

She confessed to severely injuring boyfriend and was heard saying, “I did just try to m*rder you.”

Highlights
  • A woman in Mesa, Arizona, was arrested after slitting her boyfriend’s throat on Thanksgiving Day.
  • Tamala Rudeseal called 911 and told dispatchers it was her “Independence Day.”
  • The couple had reportedly been together for 11 years and had argued earlier in the day.
BP Daily - Your Source for Unbiased Reporting

    Mesa County Sheriff's Office building exterior with flagpole and landscaped walkway related to chilling 911 call incident.

    Image credits: Mesa County Sheriff’s Office

    Trigger warning: This article contains graphic details that may be distressing to some

    When police arrived at the Mesa apartment complex near Broadway Road and Country Club Drive, they found a man suffering from a deep cut extending from his left ear to the center of his neck.

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    The victim, whose identity has not been publicly released, said his girlfriend often became depressed around the holidays and that they had argued earlier in the day.

    A wide aerial view of a suburban neighborhood with golf courses under a partly cloudy sky.

    Image credits: dreamhomestudio

    He and Rudeseal had reportedly been together for 11 years.

    The man told authorities that he was asleep when Rudeseal attacked him and that he woke to a sharp pain in his neck.

    He said he thought he wouldn’t survive the attack but was able to control the bleeding with his shirt until the police arrived.

    Tamala Rudeseal, 52, was arrested after calling 911 about the crime

    Mesa County sheriff crime scene unit vehicle parked, related to woman's chilling 911 call after attacking sleeping boyfriend.

    Image credits: Mesa County Sheriff’s Office

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    The victim was immediately rushed to a local hospital for emergency surgery.

    Rudeseal was taken into custody. Police recovered a large folding hunting knife from the scene, local outlets reported.

    The 52-year-old showed no remorse during questioning, expressing that she wished the attack had been fatal and that she intended to take her boyfriend’s life.

    Image credits: Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office

    Facebook comment by Vickie Cramer expressing sympathy about a woman’s chilling 911 call after attacking her sleeping boyfriend.

    She allegedly said she wanted to stab him on the other side of the neck and in the heart, according to court documents.

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    “God, I hope he is d*ad,” she said. “It’d be a favor to me, his wife, and his children.”

    She allegedly claimed the victim didn’t “do anything around the house,” according to 12 News.

    Rudeseal was arrested at the Maricopa County jail. She was charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault. Her bond was set at $1 million.

    The victim is her boyfriend of 11 years, according to court documents

    Sheriff officer with police dog conducting a search inside a building responding to a woman’s chilling 911 call incident.

    Image credits: Mesa County Sheriff’s Office

    According to FBI data, Arizona’s homicide rate has declined by 8% compared to April 2022, while the national homicide rate has plummeted by 31%.

    When it comes to aggravated assault, the state moved in the opposite direction compared to nationwide numbers.While the national rate decreased by 5% compared to April 2022, Arizona saw a 22% increase.

    Yellow caution tape blocking off a street scene related to woman's chilling 911 call after attacking boyfriend.

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    Image credits: Freepik (Not the actual image)

    Social media users reacted to the crime and to Rudeseal’s disturbing comments to police, writing, “Independence while in prison. Her elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top floor.”

    “Her face looks black and blue,” another noted, referring to the perpetrator’s mugshot.

    “Umm not sure how free you’re going to be in jail but ok 👌,” someone else said.

    “This is why I live alone,” another person added.

    A spokesperson from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office told People that Rudeseal’s case is “currently under review by our office.” 

    The 52-year-old showed no remorse for the attack, saying she intended to take her boyfriend’s life

    Image credits: Mesa County Sheriff’s Office

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    Officials said the victim is expected to survive. They did not reveal what led up to the incident.

    Also on Thanksgiving Day, a Florida man named Christian Vargas Pagan fatally sh*t Victor Alexander Aldana Perez, 38, and Pagan’s estranged wife, Sharon Bonilla, 41.

    Alt text: Woman's chilling 911 call text message describing relationship struggles that stunned police after attacking boyfriend.

    Screenshot of a social media comment reading Better him than me, related to woman's chilling 911 call after attacking boyfriend.

    Statue outside Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office headquarters with American flag, linked to woman’s chilling 911 call case.

    Image credits: Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office

    Pagan reportedly went to Bonilla’s home because he was angry that she was seeing another man. He asked Aldana Perez to come outside and then committed the crime. When Bonilla ran outside, Pagan sh*t her too.

    Maricopa County building with clear sky and Thanksgiving message, unrelated to woman's chilling 911 call keywords.

    Image credits: maricopacounty

    Pagan, 47, was arrested in Orlando on a warrant for first-degree murder and has since admitted to the double homicide. He remains in the Orange County Jail without bond, WESH 2 reported.

    If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

    Social media users reacted to the news of Tamala Rudeseal’s arrest

    Comment from Susan Walker expressing frustration about police and judge in a brutal sleeping boyfriend attack case.

    Comment by William Henley discussing a chilling 911 call after a woman brutally attacking her sleeping boyfriend.

    Facebook comment by Sue Stevenson expressing opinion on a violent incident involving a sleeping boyfriend.

    Facebook comment discussing actions related to a woman's chilling 911 call after attacking her sleeping boyfriend.

    Comment discussing the woman's chilling 911 call after brutally attacking her sleeping boyfriend, shocking police officials.

    Screenshot of Facebook comment discussing a woman's chilling 911 call after brutally attacking sleeping boyfriend, police stunned.

    Screenshot of a social media comment discussing a woman’s chilling 911 call after brutally attacking sleeping boyfriend.

    Comment reading looks like he gobbled the wrong bird with laughing and like reactions on social media post

    Facebook comment by Carlos Torres reacting humorously to a holiday mix-up, referencing the 4th of July.

    Facebook comment from Jason Hare discussing the need for help with mental illness and responsibility with bipolar disorder.

    Comment on social media about a woman's chilling 911 call after attacking her sleeping boyfriend, shocking police forces.

    Social media post showing Leigh Melton commenting about carving a turkey with casual profile picture and light blue background.

    User comment on a social media post about a woman’s chilling 911 call after brutally attacking her sleeping boyfriend, expressing sympathy.

    Screenshot of a Facebook comment reacting to a woman's chilling 911 call after attacking her sleeping boyfriend.

    Screenshot of a social media comment by Kathy Harmon reading Independence in prison with a sad emoji.

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    Marina Urman

    Marina Urman

    Writer, Entertainment News Writer

    Read more »

    With a degree in social science and a love for culture, I approach entertainment journalism at Bored Panda with a research-driven mindset. I write about celebrity news, Hollywood highlights, and viral stories that spark curiosity worldwide. My work has reached millions of readers and is recognized for balancing accuracy with an engaging voice. I believe that pop culture isn’t just entertainment, it reflects the social conversations shaping our time.

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    Marina Urman

    Marina Urman

    Writer, Entertainment News Writer

    With a degree in social science and a love for culture, I approach entertainment journalism at Bored Panda with a research-driven mindset. I write about celebrity news, Hollywood highlights, and viral stories that spark curiosity worldwide. My work has reached millions of readers and is recognized for balancing accuracy with an engaging voice. I believe that pop culture isn’t just entertainment, it reflects the social conversations shaping our time.

    What do you think ?
    Andy
    Community Member
    3 days ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's disgusting that people so quickly blamed the victim, just because the perpetrator was a woman, and saying he must have done something to cause her to do that. It's not even that she claims that she was a****d, and people are believing her. And to all the morons talking about her having a black eye in the picture, if they looked at it for more than 2 seconds, they would see it's a shield logo for the police station printed on the picture, hence why the wall in the background apparently also has a "black eye" 😒

    Nikki Sevven
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Did they not notice that there are three "bruises" vertically that all look exactly the same? People are really lacking in basic observational and critical thinking skills nowadays. The only thing she complained about was that he did nothing around the house.

    Load More Replies...
    allthatandaduck888
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don’t see any bruises…pretty sure that’s a watermark

    Roni Stone
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes a watermark is just a watermark, folks.

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Rudeseal told officers her boyfriend 'Does not do anything around the house.' She also complained that all he did was sitting, smoking and drinking, records show." - that's not the speech of a báttered woman. That's not the words of a victim of abúse. If he had been abúsing her, she would have mentioned it in some way at some point. Instead, she complained that he doesn't help out around the house. A lot of people refuse to accept that WOMEN can be the ábusíve partner and the one who is verbally, mentally, and physically ábusíve in a relationship. Statistically it's rarer, yes, but it's not like women are NEVER the ábusíve partner. My mother was the ábusíve partner - she used to hit and punch my dad, yell and scream at him, and if she was REALLY in an unhinged mood, she'd get a butcher knife from the kitchen and slash at his arms and back until they bled all over the place. He was afraid of her and never stopped her (he was afraid she'd kíll us kids if he left/tried to stop her.)

    Andy
    Community Member
    3 days ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's disgusting that people so quickly blamed the victim, just because the perpetrator was a woman, and saying he must have done something to cause her to do that. It's not even that she claims that she was a****d, and people are believing her. And to all the morons talking about her having a black eye in the picture, if they looked at it for more than 2 seconds, they would see it's a shield logo for the police station printed on the picture, hence why the wall in the background apparently also has a "black eye" 😒

    Nikki Sevven
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Did they not notice that there are three "bruises" vertically that all look exactly the same? People are really lacking in basic observational and critical thinking skills nowadays. The only thing she complained about was that he did nothing around the house.

    Load More Replies...
    allthatandaduck888
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don’t see any bruises…pretty sure that’s a watermark

    Roni Stone
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes a watermark is just a watermark, folks.

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Rudeseal told officers her boyfriend 'Does not do anything around the house.' She also complained that all he did was sitting, smoking and drinking, records show." - that's not the speech of a báttered woman. That's not the words of a victim of abúse. If he had been abúsing her, she would have mentioned it in some way at some point. Instead, she complained that he doesn't help out around the house. A lot of people refuse to accept that WOMEN can be the ábusíve partner and the one who is verbally, mentally, and physically ábusíve in a relationship. Statistically it's rarer, yes, but it's not like women are NEVER the ábusíve partner. My mother was the ábusíve partner - she used to hit and punch my dad, yell and scream at him, and if she was REALLY in an unhinged mood, she'd get a butcher knife from the kitchen and slash at his arms and back until they bled all over the place. He was afraid of her and never stopped her (he was afraid she'd kíll us kids if he left/tried to stop her.)

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