Fargo, ND – A 23-year-old woman in North Dakota is facing attempted murder charges after allegedly attacking her boyfriend with a hatchet while he was sleeping, leaving him with severe injuries to his head and hands. The attack took place inside a detached garage where the couple had been staying with a third person.
Shocking Attack in North Fargo
The accused, Lena Deoliveira, is charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault in Cass County for the Sept. 5 attack on Jonathan Granados, her romantic partner.
According to local reports, including KVLY and The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, the pair were homeless and staying with another man in a detached garage near the 700 block of College Street North in Fargo.
The witness told police he was sleeping nearby when Granados suddenly woke up screaming. He turned and saw Deoliveira swinging a hatchet down at Granados.
“[The witness] couldn’t see the point of the strike due to obstructions but heard it sound like splitting wood,” the court documents say. He initially thought she had hit the headrest — until he saw blood and damage to Granados’ skull.
Victim’s Condition and Scene Details
When the witness approached the injured man, he told investigators that it appeared two of Granados’ fingers were either missing or barely hanging on.
Granados was found with:
Severe lacerations to his hands
A “large slice” through his skull
Extensive blood loss at the scene
Police say the garage had blood throughout, and it was clear from the condition of Granados’ head that the wounds were life-threatening.
Deoliveira Fled the Scene
Following the brutal attack, Deoliveira fled the garage, but police were able to locate and arrest her later that day in Moorhead without incident. She is currently being held on a $500,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Cass County Court on Oct. 16.
No motive has been publicly released, and investigators have not confirmed if drugs or alcohol were involved. The case is still under active investigation.
Charges and Legal Outlook
Deoliveira faces two serious charges:
Attempted Murder
Aggravated Assault
If convicted, she could face decades in prison, especially given the violent nature of the attack and the use of a deadly weapon.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sept. 5, 2025 | Attack took place inside a garage in North Fargo |
| Sept. 5 (later) | Police locate and arrest Lena Deoliveira in Moorhead |
| Oct. 16, 2025 | Deoliveira’s next scheduled court hearing |
Community Response
The disturbing nature of the case has shaken residents of Fargo and surrounding areas. Officials urge anyone dealing with domestic violence or homelessness to seek help through local support services.
