DeKALB | Police say Ramon Dominguez, 24, a man with a history of domestic battery, stabbed Maria Yanez, 47, a former girlfriend, before turning the knife on himself.

The incident happened in Yanez’ apartment at 934 Greenbrier Road late Tuesday afternoon.

It is suspected that Dominguez surprised Yanez in her apartment where she was found with knife wounds to the throat and torso. DeKalb Police Lt. Jim Kayes said they believe Dominguez then turned the knife on himself. In addition to chest wounds, Dominguez’s throat was slit, said DeKalb County coroner Dennis Miller,

“She really didn’t have a chance to defend herself is what it looks like,” Kayes said.

The victims were found shortly before 6:30 p.m. by roommates of Yanez. Police received a call at 6:37 p.m. It has been established that the crime most likely took place sometime between 4 p.m. and when the victims were found.

One witness thought they heard a scream, and though they could not remember the exact time, it fits into the suspected time frame. It is known that Yanez and Dominguez had a prior relationship, but Yanez no longer wanted to see Dominguez.

Dominguez had just gotten out of jail on Feb. 7 for battering Yanez in a Dec. 20, 2006 incident, Kayes said. Dominguez had also been arrested in June of 2005 for assaulting his brother with a knife.

The police and coroner expect the incident to be ruled a murder/suicide based on evidence compiled by investigators.

Things taken into account for such a ruling include evaluation of the crime scene, location of bodies, location of weapon, wounds, blood evidence, past incidents and interviews with people, said DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen.

An autopsy has been completed and though an official report will not be released for a couple of weeks, Miller said the cause of death appeared to be homicide for Yanez and suicide for Dominguez. The bodies had lacerations to the neck and chest areas.

Examination of the bodies included looking for defense wounds and examining the degree and depth of the wounds. Combining that with what investigators find, a ruling will be made.

While suicide by knife may seem unusual, it is not uncommon.

“It is not that uncommon nor is it hard to do,” Kayes said. “In fact, the doctor that is doing the autopsy has said that he has handled two knife suicides with wounds to the throat in the last month.”