Police: Petaluma man killed self after stabbing roommate

A Petaluma man who died last week after he attacked his roommate, stabbed her and then used the same knife to inflict fatal injuries on himself, authorities said Thursday.

Thomas E. Judkins, 36, died in what Sonoma County Sheriff’s Sgt. Cecile Focha on Thursday described as an “attempted murder-suicide.”

“I don’t think he thought she would survive,” Focha said.

Judkins was found dead last Friday in the driveway of the house he shared with the woman on the corner of Marshall Avenue and Shady Lane, just west of Petaluma. Judkins had moved to the area from Essex Junction, Vt.

Only one knife was found at the scene. Focha described the weapon as an 8-inch tanto-style knife with a 4-inch blade.

Authorities have not identified the roommate because she was the victim of a violent crime. She initially was being treated at a hospital for extensive injuries suffered in the attack. Focha said Thursday she could not release more information about the woman’s condition.

The woman’s young daughter also lived at the house but she was not there at the time of the attack. She is now being cared for by family members.