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Man police say stabbed girlfriend to death surrenders to police

PITCAIRN, Pa. — A man police said stabbed his girlfriend to death Sunday night in Pitcairn turned himself in Wednesday evening, authorities said.

Derrick Avant, 59, had been wanted since an arrest warrant for criminal homicide was issued following the stabbing.

Police said Avant stabbed his girlfriend, 55-year-old Alison Fritzius, during an argument. Fritzius was found bleeding from her chest on a porch along Hillside Avenue after officers were called to the area about 6 p.m.

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“I heard them, and I heard her going down the steps. I didn’t open the door. I didn’t know she was bleeding everywhere. I thought she was just leaving,” Kevin Kotewicz, a neighbor, said.

Fritzius was taken to a hospital, where she died.

Alison Fritzius

“She had a PFA against Mr. Avant, so we’re not sure what triggered him to go to the residence yesterday,” Allegheny County Police Inspector Andrew Schurman said.

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Neighbors said the couple was known to fight.

“He told her if she was sending him to jail again for beating her up, he’ll kill her first, and he did,” Kotewicz said.