A 33-year-old mainland Chinese woman has been detained on suspicion of premeditated murder and illegal possession of weapons following the fatal stabbing of another woman in a hotel room in Taipa, Macao, on Thursday, November 13.
According to the Judiciary Police, the victim — a woman in her 30s originally from mainland China — worked at an educational institution in Macau and had been employed there since August of the previous year. She suffered more than 30 stab wounds, including several critical injuries to the chest that are believed to have been fatal. A final cause of death is pending further forensic analysis.
The incident came to light around 4:00 p.m. on Thursday when hotel staff reported a serious assault in progress. Emergency responders arrived to find two injured women inside a guest room. One was declared dead at the hospital, while the other — later identified as the main suspect — was treated for minor injuries and subsequently taken into custody.
The suspect, surnamed Miao, is also from mainland China and reportedly works as a social worker. Investigators say the two women were acquainted from their student years. Authorities have determined that the attack was likely motivated by a personal relationship dispute, and have so far ruled out financial motives.
Evidence suggests the assault was premeditated. On the day of the crime, the suspect traveled from the mainland to Macau, bringing with her a short knife with a 10 cm blade. Upon arriving in Macau, she checked into a hotel in Taipa and later went to a shopping center in central Macau, where she bought a 16 cm utility knife and a 16 cm cleaver.
Surveillance footage shows the victim meeting the suspect in the hotel lobby at approximately 3:30 p.m. The two then entered a room together without any outward signs of trouble. About 20 minutes later, the suspect called hotel reception for help. When staff entered the room, they found both women lying on the floor, injured. Emergency services were called, and both were transported to hospital. The suspect had sustained minor cuts, believed to have been caused as she resisted the victim during the altercation.
Police recovered two bloodied knives at the scene, along with an unused 16 cm cleaver found inside the suspect’s backpack. Forensic experts have confirmed that all three bladed weapons meet Macao’s legal criteria for prohibited arms.
The hotel room showed clear signs of a violent struggle, with extensive blood spatter covering the floor.
Following medical treatment, the suspect was discharged and immediately placed under arrest. She is now being questioned by authorities, and the case has been handed over to the Public Prosecutions Office for further legal proceedings.
