Man travels from Canada to California and stabs woman he met online, officials say

A man was arrested after being accused of stabbing a woman he met online, California officials said.

On Nov. 25, Monterey County deputies learned Devin Wolfgang Vandorhoef, 25, had met the victim via an online gaming platform that led to a “year’s long obsession,” according to a news release by the sheriff’s office.

Vandorhoef decided to fly from his home in Canada to California with Darius Avery Whyte, 25, officials said.

Once they arrived at the victim’s home, Vandorhoef, who was holding a package and posing as a delivery driver, knocked on the door, deputies said.

The victim’s boyfriend opened the door, and Vandorhoef forced his way inside, stabbing the boyfriend multiple times and leaving him in critical condition, according to the release.

When the victim saw what was happening, she grabbed a “sharp metal object” and started defending her boyfriend, officials said.

During the fight, the woman was strangled and stabbed by Vandorhoef, officials said. Her injuries were not life-threatening.

During their investigation, officers found the package Vandorhoef brought contained handcuffs, duct tape and knives, officials said.

Police didn’t specify what Vandorhoef was planning to do with the items.

On Nov. 26, Whyte, who initially claimed he didn’t know what happened, was arrested at the San Jose Mineta International Airport, officers said.

Vandorhoef and Whyte were each charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit attempted murder, among other charges, officers said.

Whyte is being held on a $1 million bail, and Vandorhoef is being held on a $4.15 million bail, officers said.

Monterey County is about a 120-mile drive southeast of San Francisco.

This story was originally published November 29, 2024 at 1:46 PM with the headline "Man travels from Canada to California and stabs woman he met online, officials say."