Prince George woman charged with murder in 2020 stabbing outside courthouse

A Prince George, B.C., woman has been arrested and charged with murderfor a July2020stabbing attack outsidethe city's courthouse.

RCMP say Charlene Jane Alexander, 56,was taken into custodyon Fridayafter the B.C. ProsecutionServiceapproved a single count of first-degree murder.

Alexanderappeared in Prince George court on Saturday and will remain in custody until a hearing on Sept. 15.

RCMP were called to the steps of the Prince George courthouse just after 10 p.m. on July2, 2020.

Front-line officers and first respondersfound Jessie Mae Hayward-Lines, 26,suffering from at least onestab wound. The victimwas rushed to hospital but died of her wounds the next morning.

On July4, 2020, the RCMPMajor Crimes Unitarrested a woman, but the suspect was released pending further investigation.

"This file has remained a priority for our investigators, who have worked tirelessly to get the investigation to this point," said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, a spokesperson for Prince George RCMP.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jessie Mae Hayward-Lines, who have endured immense grief this past year."