Tragic Valentine’s Day Murder of Ukrainian Refugee and Her Boyfriend
A Ukrainian refugee and her soldier boyfriend were tragically killed in their bed on Valentine’s Day. Authorities report that the woman’s ex-boyfriend, driven by jealousy, is the main suspect.
Katerina Tovmas, who was 21, and 28-year-old Matthew Wade, a soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, were found dead at Tovmas’ residence in Woodlake, North Carolina, just outside Raleigh.
Caleb Fosnow, the 25-year-old ex-boyfriend, was arrested after traveling approximately 500 miles from Ohio. He had been on a date with Tovmas before the incident occurred.
“Katerina’s ex-boyfriend drove for seven hours from Ohio to North Carolina, breaking into the home where she was looking after her younger siblings,” said Wade’s sister, Megan Wade, on Facebook. She added, “He forced one of her brothers to wake her up, then shot her, and then my brother, who was sleeping next to her.”
After the shooting, Fosnow fled the scene in a white 2018 Ford Mustang. Authorities issued a warning that he was “armed and dangerous” prior to his capture.
He was later apprehended by the Coshocton County Sheriff’s Office and has been charged with two counts of murder and criminal trespass. It is expected that he will be extradited back to North Carolina to face charges.
“This is a tragic and senseless loss of life,” stated Moore County Sheriff Lonnie Fields. “Our hearts go out to the victim’s family during this difficult time. We appreciate the swift efforts of our law enforcement partners in detaining this individual.”
Another of Wade’s sisters, Courtney Miller, mentioned that Tovmas’s family had escaped the war in Ukraine and urged donations on GoFundMe to help cover the costs of the funerals. “Matt’s funeral expenses are covered due to his military service, but Kate’s family will need assistance with her funeral,” Miller noted, encouraging people to share the fundraiser even if they couldn’t donate.
This incident is reminiscent of another tragedy involving a young Ukrainian refugee, Ilyana Zalutka, who was stabbed to death in Charlotte in August 2025. This brutal act, committed by a homeless ex-con, drew national outrage, prompting calls for severe penalties for the suspect.
