Teen Allegedly Stabbed Tinder Date, 64-Year-Old Woman And Planned To 'Kill Other People,' Authorities Say

A Utah teenager accused of stabbing an online date and a 64-year-old woman last week allegedly told investigators he’d planned to carry out multiple attacks.

Kane Fairbank, 18, has been arrested on suspicion of two counts of felony attempted murder, two counts of obstruction of justice and one count of kidnapping following a pair of knife attacks Thursday, according to authorities.

On May 12, authorities allege Fairbank lured an unidentified 18-year-old woman to Mueller Park in Bountiful, Utah after meeting days earlier on the dating app Tinder, Salt Lake City television station KUTV reported. After spending several hours together, Fairbank allegedly stabbed the 18-year-old victim numerous times shortly before 6:30 p.m.

According to investigators, the attack unfolded inside Fairbank’s car.

"[Fairbank] began attacking her with a knife, stabbing her multiple times; she sustained significant injuries to her hands, neck, and face at this time," an investigator stated in an arrest report, according to KUTV.

The woman managed to escape Fairbank’s car and get help, authorities said. Fairbank allegedly continued stabbing the 18-year-old woman in the back as she ran to safety, authorities said.

“The victim fought back, broke away, and was able to flag down nearby witnesses,” the Davis County Sheriff’s Office added in a statement on May 13. “Those witnesses took action and helped create a barrier between Fairbank and the victim. Among the witnesses were two nurses and an EMT who all provided first aid while another witness called 911.” 

Fairbank later drove to a Bountiful fuel station where he dumped his vehicle. Shortly afterwards, he confronted a 64-year-old woman, who was previously unknown to him, and also allegedly stabbed her. The woman, who fought back, was assisted by witnesses until first responders arrived on-scene, authorities said. Fairbank fled but was identified and detained by a Good Samaritan nearby until his arrest.

“The heinous nature of this crime was shocking to the community, it was shocking to law enforcement,” Stephanie Dinsmore, a public information officer for the Davis County Sheriff’s Office told Oxygen.com on Wednesday afternoon. “We were very grateful that we had such amazing witnesses and bystanders that were able to assist at both crime scenes.”

Both stabbing victims were hospitalized and were listed in stable condition late last week. They’ve since been released and are now recovering at home, police said. 

Under questioning, Fairbank allegedly told investigators he had planned the initial stabbing and also intended "to kill other people." 

“[Fairbank] admitted to planning victim 1’s murder,” the police report stated, per KUTV. “He further stated he had been planning since he started interacting with her on Tinder. [Fairbank] states he invited victim 1 to the park ‘with the intent of luring her into his car and killing her.’”

Police also warned the public to exercise caution when using online dating apps and meeting up with strangers.

“Both women are alive today because they fought back,” Dinsmore said. “We just want to stress that had it not been for them fighting back, it could have been a much different outcome. We would stress that to anyone — always fight.”

Fairbank is being held without bail at a Davis County detention facility, according to online jail records obtained by Oxygen.com. It’s unclear if he’s retained legal representation to comment on his behalf. Charges haven’t been formally filed against the 18-year-old. No further information was released by officials this week.

Authorities are now seeking additional surveillance footage of Fairbank that may have been captured by security cameras at nearby homes and businesses. Anyone with video and photos of Fairbank, or additional information pertaining to the case is urged to contact Davis County Sheriff’s non-emergency dispatch at 801-451-4150.