Husband claims he ‘snapped’ before beating, stabbing transgender activist wife to death: Cops

A Massachusetts man reportedly walked into a police station last week and confessed to beating his wife with a hammer and repeatedly stabbing her in the back.

According to masslive.com, Mark Steele-Knudslien, 47, admitted to killing Christa Leigh Steele-Knudslien, 42, a prominent transgender rights activist, who was found dead wrapped in bedding, tarp, and plastic in the basement of their home.

Mark went to the station Friday night and allegedly told Adams police he had “done something bad” and extended his arms to be cuffed. He went on to claim that he was fed up with Christa “always belittling” him, according to documents.

Records indicate that the couple married in April 2017.

The Berkshire Eagle reported that Mark said he had “snapped” when he bludgeoned Christa with a hammer and stabbed her with a large knife. However, he also admitted that he tidied up, took a shower, and went to the liquor store after killing his wife.

Investigators who inspected the North Adams home spotted evidence of an altercation in the living room. Investigators allegedly located bloodied paper towels and a sponge in a trash bag in the kitchen. Police said the hammer and knife used in the violent slaying were found in the tarp alongside Christa’s body, the newspaper reported.

The Human Rights Campaign mourned Christa’s death as the first known homicide of a transgender person this year. Masslive.com noted that Christa was active in her community, founding Miss Trans America and Miss Trans New England beauty pageants.

Mark has since pleaded not guilty to one count of murder in connection with her death. A judge ordered he be held without bail pending a February 7 pretrial hearing.

 

[Featured Image: Christa Leigh Steele-Knudslien/Facebook]