Accused travel nurse stands charged with homicide, as authorities confirm a landlord's brutal stabbing in their residential property.
In Soldotna, Alaska, a shocking incident has unfolded, with a traveling behavioral health nurse, LaShaunda Lewis, charged with the murder of her 78-year-old landlord, John "Skip" Dove Jr.
Dove, a U.S. Navy veteran and an avid golfer, was found stabbed to death on August 5, 2025, at his home off Sports Lake Road north of Soldotna. Lewis, a 31-year-old woman from Virginia, was renting a downstairs space in Dove's home while working at Central Peninsula Hospital as a psychiatric and behavioral health nurse.
The tragedy began when Lewis' family requested a welfare check on her after she appeared emotional and confused during a FaceTime call and then became unresponsive to further messaging. Troopers conducted the welfare check on Monday, August 4, and found Lewis and Dove at the residence. However, Lewis declined mental health resources offered by troopers.
The following day, Lewis called 911 from a phone associated with Dove's home. Troopers arrived to find a large amount of blood in the living area and discovered Dove dead with multiple stab wounds in a bedroom. Lewis, who was injured, was found naked and bleeding. Investigators believe her injuries were self-inflicted.
Lewis has been charged with one count of first-degree domestic violence murder and two counts of second-degree domestic violence murder. During an interview with an investigator, she admitted to causing Dove's death but stated she was confused during the incident.
A video was found on Dove's phone, in which Lewis can be heard whispering, "Help me," and "He tried to kill me." As of the latest updates, Lewis was scheduled for an arraignment on Thursday, August 7, but no further court dates have been published in the state court database.
Dove's next of kin have been notified, and his body was sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. The investigation into this tragic incident continues.
Sources:
- Anchorage Daily News
- KTUU
- KTVA
- Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
- The general-news outlets in Alaska, including Anchorage Daily News, KTUU, KTVA, and Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, have been reporting on the murder case of John "Skip" Dove Jr., a U.S. Navy veteran, where the suspect, LaShaunda Lewis, a traveling behavioral health nurse, stands charged with first-degree domestic violence murder and two counts of second-degree domestic violence murder.
- Beyond the politics of the legal proceedings, this crime-and-justice case of a nurse allegedly murdering her elderly landlord in Soldotna, Alaska, has stirred public outrage, with many questioning the mental health resources available for individuals in crisis, as seen in the tragic events leading up to the discovery of the victim's body.
