Suspect in stabbing identified

Spokane police have identified a suspect in the Monday night stabbing death of Vitaly M. Shevchuk, and are asking the public for help finding her.

Detectives say they have probable cause to arrest Maggie May Tyler, 24, on suspicion of second-degree murder, following interviews with two men connected to the case who are incarcerated on unrelated charges. The men are Nathan D. Gilstrap, 28, and Matthew M. Nedeau, 24.

The nature of the connection between the men and Tyler wasn’t immediately clear, and representatives of the Police Department could not be reached to answer questions. Detectives earlier interviewed another woman considered a “person of interest” in the case, Savannah Frye.

Police have been investigating the case and tracking down leads since the stabbing, which was the city’s fifth homicide this year. Shevchuk, 24, was stabbed to death around 10 p.m. Monday in the 400 block of South Greene Street. He and a woman were walking to a store and got into a confrontation with three people driving by in a 2008 Toyota Yaris, according to earlier police accounts. Frye owns the car.

At some point that night, Shevchuk threw a rock through the car’s back window, and a fight ensued. According to earlier police reports, three people in the Yaris had knives, which were recovered at the crime scene.

But it was unclear Friday exactly who was in the car and how the dispute unfolded.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about Tyler’s whereabouts to call Crime Stoppers at (509) 327-5111 or (800) 222-TIPS. People also may submit tips at crimestoppersinland northwest.org.