Woman stabbed to death on Red Line train

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Jessica Hampton, 25. (Photo courtesy of family)

A couple was arguing on a Red Line train Thursday when the man suddenly stabbed his girlfriend repeatedly, killing her, police said Thursday.

Jessica Hampton, 25, was stabbed in the neck on a southbound train near the 47th Street station at 12:33 p.m. after an argument, apparently over a child, authorities said. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said they quickly arrested the offender, who didn’t resist.

“This is domestic in nature,” First Deputy Supt. John Escalante said at a brief news conference on the slaying Thursday. “We’re sure of that.”

The stabbing happened in the Grand Boulevard neighborhood on the South Side.

"There was no tension. Everybody was on the train, minding their own business,” said witness Andrea Patterson. "I had my headphones on. He asked the young lady a question. She said no and he got up and started stabbing her. She fell to the floor and he slit her neck."

Passengers were sent scrambling with some calling the operator and others calling Chicago police.

Witnesses say people on the train wanted to jump in and help.

“A couple of gentlemen were trying to help her, but he still had a knife in his hands and nobody wanted to run up,” Patterson said.

Police are still trying to figure out the relationship between the two.

Commuters at 47th Street couldn't believe something so violent happened on their train.

“When you hear this occasionally happens, it makes you worry more. Like is it going to happen, should there be more protection,” said Dalia Negret.

Chicago police believe this was an isolated incident.

“What we can say right now is that there is definitely no threat to any other CTA passengers at the time, other than unfortunately to our victim,” Escalante added.

Red Line trains are operating normally, though trains aren’t stopping at the 47th Street station.