LATEST: The suspect has been identified as 30-year-old Brandon Coristine.
During the dispute, Coristine stabbed the victim and fled to a nearby trailer. After a brief standoff, Coristine was taken into custody without incident.
As a result of the investigation, Coristine was arrested and transported to the Clark County Detention Center and booked on one count of murder with a deadly weapon.
This is the 20th homicide investigated by the LVMPD in 2017.
UPDATE: Cardboard signs now read "Miss you Tonya" just hours after her family says they watched her get stabbed to death.
"It was almost like watching a horror movie, with the exaggerated blood scenes," says Jennifer Moore, a family member of the victim. "It was almost unreal but it was real."
Neighbors say Tonya and another man were arguing, which is something they had done several times. The latest argument turned deadly.
The suspect is now in custody. 13 Action News spoke exclusively with the suspect's mother. She didn't want to go on camera, but she says her son suffers from schizophrenia. Doctors say people diagnosed with schizophrenia can sometimes experience aggression, agitation, and compulsive behavior. She says it's likely her son just snapped.
"It's just stuff that could easily have been avoided," says Jennifer Moore. "It's just a waste of life on both sides if you ask me."
ORIGINAL STORY
LAS VEGAS (KTNV) -- A woman was attacked and stabbed by a man near Boulder Highway and Tropicana Avenue just after midnight Tuesday.
Police say the victim's husband and daughter witnessed the attack. Police believe the woman and the suspect were arguing over a cell phone when the situation escalated and the man stabbed the woman.
Officers were able to capture the suspect. The incident is under investigation.
