Former stepfather says domestic violence preceded Anchorage woman's death

The former stepfather of a woman stabbed to death at a Midtown Anchorage residence early Thursday, allegedly by her ex-husband, says she had been struggling to find her footing after episodes of domestic violence.

Eva Edwardson was once married to murder suspect Kelly Frederick, said Joe Hilderbrand, who raised Edwardson in Barrow.

The couple, both 33, had been trying to repair their relationship, Hilderbrand said.

"I've heard since (her death) that there were a huge number of domestic violence issues when they were living together in Denver," Hilderbrand said. "He took her money and abused her but she would always come back. She was a nice person, and she was good at hiding things."

A criminal complaint against Frederick says a witness heard thumping from within Frederick's apartment, as well as a voice yelling for help and saying, "You're going to kill me." Another witness intervened and then he, along with a friend, detained the bloodied suspect until police arrived.

Inside the East 46th Court apartment, near Tudor Road and Old Seward Highway, officers found Edwardson dead from multiple stab wounds, according to the complaint. Frederick had fresh scratches on his arms.

[Gunshot victim brought to hospital dies]

Hilderbrand said he and Edwardson lost touch over the years and had not spoken for the last eight. She moved to Denver to live near her mother after high school; he stayed in Alaska. Then, about eight months ago, he ran into her at a Spenard gas station.

"It was a nice reunion. We've been helping each other out," said Hilderbrand, who added that he moved from Barrow to Anchorage for medical reasons.

Frederick and Edwardson met in Colorado. The relationship turned turbulent after a short time, family told Hilderbrand. A bail record filed by the state against Frederick lists seven convictions in Colorado from 2002 to 2014 for crimes including vehicle theft, weapons misconduct and assault.

Edwardson tried to take care of Frederick, whom family and friends referred to as "Zane," over the past couple years. She had a child with Frederick and another child from a previous marriage.

"But he was always doing stupid and strange things, and she was always making excuses for him when he was irrational," Hilderbrand said.

During his initial court appearance Friday at the Anchorage Correctional Complex, Frederick responded to a judge's routine questions with uncertainty and non-answers.

"I don't know," Frederick said when asked about his place of residence and his finances.

The judge asked him to take a moment and think about any possessions he could possibly sell to pay for a defense attorney.

"I can't do anything in cuffs, in here," Frederick said.

When asked for his plea, Frederick stayed silent. His bail was set at $250,000 and a third-party custodian.