Niece stabs, kills uncle in Fairfax County, police say

A niece stabbed her uncle to death in Fairfax County on Monday, according to police.

Authorities said the stabbing happened in the 8000 block of Steadman Street in the Mount Vernon area of Fairfax County at about 11 a.m.

Investigators said 22-year-old Chardnay Southern stabbed her uncle, 38-year-old Courtney Southern, during an argument. Detectives said the uncle and niece lived in a home together with other family members.

Courtney Southern was stabbed in the upper body and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Chardnay Southern was taken into custody shortly after the stabbing, according to officials. Police have recovered the knife.

The victim's next door neighbors said he was a nice and quiet man who was often out walking his dog or driving his car.

Police said besides the suspect and victim, three other adults live here in their home. A neighbor said the family has been living there for years and this came out of nowhere.

"I was in total shock because I wasn't expecting this," said neighbor Paco Ramirez. "We're neighbors and we have been living here for eight years and I never heard anything going on in there. They were like cool people."