A young mother who was seeking refuge in Oregon with her family to escape domestic abuse was allegedly stabbed to death by the man she fled.
Upsetting details about the death of 24-year-old Neilyann Ysam, who was discovered stabbed to death in Portland, Oregon on July 19, have been revealed in newly released court documents obtained by local ABC affiliate KATU.
According to a press release from the Portland Police Bureau, Ysam was home with her five children, all of whom were unharmed and safely removed.
According to court documents, Ysam’s 4-year-old daughter called 911 and told them, “My dad killed my mom.”
On July 22, police announced the arrest of S Mate Joseph, 28, who was booked into the Clark County Jail in Washington before being extradited to Multnomah County, Oregon.
KATU reported that Joseph and Ysam had a history of domestic violence dating back to 2019, when he pleaded guilty to assaulting Ysam while pregnant. According to reports from the 2019 incident in Vancouver, Washington, Ysam was “barefoot, screaming, crying, and attempting to get away” from Joseph.
Two men who reported the earlier incident were waiting outside their apartment for police when they were confronted by Joseph’s 16-year-old brother, who allegedly threatened them with a knife, KATU reported at the time. The teen refused to comply with police orders to back down, and was shot and killed by an officer. Joseph was subdued with a stun gun and arrested.
Joseph was sentenced to 11 days in jail after pleading guilty to fourth-degree assault, harassment, and jumping bail.
Six years later, court documents revealed that Ysam had fled to Portland to avoid Joseph and was staying with an aunt when the final incident occurred.
In addition to the 4-year-old’s 911 call, Joseph allegedly made his own call, telling dispatchers that he had stabbed a “loved one” but did not know if they were still alive. He then allegedly fled the scene, leaving Ysam bleeding to death while the nearly half-dozen children (all under the age of six) remained inside the house.
Joseph was extradited and booked into the Multnomah County Jail. He pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and burglary during his court appearance on Thursday.
According to KATU, the children were taken into custody by their families.
