Suspect arrested in Portsmouth domestic homicide

By News Staff

Reporting by Liz Tufts and Samantha Fenlon

ltufts@abc6.com

Police have arrested the suspect in the stabbing death of a Portsmouth woman Wednesday morning. The victim has been identified as 42-year-old Yolanda McArdle.

The suspect, 50-year-old Raymond Ramsey, of Portsmouth, was McArdle’s boyfriend. Police say he had been arrested several times before for domestic assault and battery.

"The victim was stabbed multiple times. It really was a horrific scene," said Portsmouth Police Chief Thomas Lee, in a press conference held on the homicide Wednesday afternoon.

Police responded to the third floor of an apartment on Almeida Terrace around 10:30 p.m. for a noise complaint. That’s when the body of the McArdle was discovered, stabbed to death.

"We have been there at that address in the past and we had arrested this suspect before on a prior domestic assault and battery… approximately three months ago and it was the 3rd offense at that time," continued Chief Lee.

McArdle’s friend describe her as a gentle, kind person.

"Soft spoken, very well liked. Remember the person not the killer," says Michele Pelland.

Police say they tried keeping Ramsey locked up after his most recent arrest and are calling this case a tragedy.

"We had made an arrest, we had asked the defendant be held at that time with a high bail. The Attorney General’s Office had asked he be held on a high bail. Again, it just shows the tragedy of these type of cases," said Chief Lee.

Domestic violence survivor Carmen Cruz broke down to ABC 6 News as she processed the news.

"Every time we turn around we hear of somebody," said Cruz. "It hurts so much because why are these men getting away with it. The law is supposed to help them. She had a restraining order why didn’t they help her."

Cruz was shot several years back by her abuser. She says every time she hears of a tragedy like the death of McArdle the memories come flooding back. That’s why she is pushing for harsher punishments for offenders.

"Tougher legislation, really really tough," said Cruz. "Not this slap in the hand."

Ramsey was arraigned from his hospital bed. He is being held without bail and will be transferred to the ACI after he is released from the hospital.

The last murder in Portsmouth was in 2013 and was another case of domestic violence.

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