PINELLAS PARK — A Pinellas Park woman has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon following a stabbing at a residence on 108th Avenue North.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Pinellas County Circuit Court, 54-year-old Sandra Michele Kegley was arrested on February 23, 2026, in connection with the incident at 6207 108th Ave. N.
Investigators state the incident occurred at approximately 4:25 p.m. Kegley is accused of attempting to kill 23-year-old Eric Smith by stabbing him in the left upper chest with a 5.5-inch Kuisine chef knife with a white handle, using her right hand in an overhand motion. The affidavit states the stabbing was done “from a premeditated design to effect the death” of the victim.
The affidavit further states that Smith is Kegley’s cohabitant and son-in-law. Detectives wrote that Kegley admitted, after being advised of her Miranda rights, that she was attempting to “free” the victim from what she described as a “simulation,” stating that life is an “illusion.” She also told investigators she had thoughts over the past week of killing him to “free” him.
According to the complaint, Kegley was in the garage before retrieving the knife from a butcher block in the kitchen and then locating Smith.
A second charge alleges that at approximately 4:27 p.m., Kegley stabbed her daughter, 25-year-old Kyrsten Bleattler, in the hand with the same knife after Bleattler’s husband had been stabbed. The affidavit states Bleattler was attempting to disarm Kegley when she was injured.
Investigators wrote that Bleattler suffered injuries to her left hand requiring immediate medical intervention and that there was significant blood loss.
Kegley was charged with Attempted Murder in the First Degree and Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon. Both charges are listed as domestic-related.
She was arrested at 8:16 p.m. on February 23, 2026. Bond was set at zero at the time of booking.