Man in custody after allegedly stabbing Orange Co. woman at his home, deputies say

A man is in custody Friday after Orange County deputies said he killed a woman in his home and then went on the run.

According to the deputies, Matthew Jared Vukmer, 53, is charged with first-degree murder after he allegedly stabbed Paula Floyd, 54, Friday morning at his home in the Wyngate community, which is southeast of Hillsborough.

While the Orange County Sheriff's Office had not explained why Floyd was at Vukmer's home, radio traffic from 911 dispatchers indicated that Floyd worked at the home as a housekeeper.

Family and friends of Floyd told WRAL News that she had been cleaning Vukmer's home for more than 20 years.

"She was a down to earth, fun-loving country girl that loved everybody," said Stephanie Gentry, who went to high school with Floyd.

Around 5:15 p.m., authorities in Grayson County, Virginia, took Vukmer into custody, adding that his extradition could take several weeks. Vukmer declined to answer questions from investigators and requested an attorney.

“I am proud of the work our investigators did today. Our task force agreement with our federal partners once again served as a force multiplier, allowing us to quickly apprehend the suspect. We know the family and friends of Paula Floyd experienced a life-shattering event today, and we continue to extend our condolences. It is our hope that they take some small measure of comfort knowing that her assailant is in custody.” said Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood.