Daughter Stabs Mother in the Head - The Chilling Reason Why

A shocking incident in Vernon Hills, Illinois, has left a community searching for answers after 20-year-old Sashary Almanza allegedly stabbed her mother in the head with a kitchen knife. Authorities responded to a 911 call on the morning of Feb. 13, 2025 reporting that a woman had been stabbed inside a home on Jackson Court, and that the suspect had fled the scene.

What Was the Motive?

Within 10 minutes, police located Almanza about half a mile away. She was swiftly taken into custody, and the weapon used in the attack was recovered. Now, the biggest question remains: why did she do it?

Investigators have not released an official motive for the stabbing, leaving many to speculate on the circumstances leading up to the violent act.

As reported by the Lake & McHenry County Scanner, Almanza’s mother had heard noises in her house and went downstairs to find dishes had fallen out of the dishwasher. Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen McConnell said Almanza’s mother told her to be quiet, and then Almanza grabbed a sharp kitchen knife and stabbed her. Almanza’s father heard the turmoil and called 911.

Stabbings are often crimes of intense emotion, committed in the heat of the moment. The head is not a common target unless the attacker has intent to incapacitate or cause maximum harm. Was there a history of conflict between the two?

Why Did She Run?

Almanza’s immediate flight from the scene suggests panic - whether from guilt, fear, or realization of the consequences of her actions. According to the Lake & McHenry County Scanner, Almanza told police that she had just been arrested in another city and her parents brought her home.

McConnell said that Almanza told officers she went into “fight or flight mode” and was thinking “this is my moment” before stabbing her mother. Almanza said she knew she could have killed her mother and that she did not know why she stabbed her, as reported by the Lake & McHenry County Scanner.

What Else Should We Know?

Almanza is now facing two serious charges: aggravated domestic battery and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. She remains in custody at the Lake County Jail, while her mother, miraculously, survived and was treated at Advocate Condell Medical Center before being released.

Despite the severity of the crime, there are still many unanswered questions. Was mental illness a factor? Had there been previous domestic disturbances at the home? What was their relationship like before the attack?

One thing is certain: this case has shaken the quiet community of Vernon Hills, leaving residents wondering what could drive a daughter to allegedly stab her own mother.

References: Ill. Woman Survives After Daughter Allegedly Stabbed Her in the Head with a Kitchen Knife | Illinois woman survives after daughter allegedly stabs her in head with knife | Woman allegedly stabs mother in head with kitchen knife, flees scene in Vernon Hills