Wife held in man’s slaying

Published 9:00 pm Friday, December 12, 2003

TACOMA — A couple with a history of violence, including court orders to stay away from each other, got into a fight and the husband was stabbed to death in front of their two children, authorities said.

Semi Silva, 22, died Thursday morning at Madigan Army Medical Center several hours after he was stabbed with a steak knife at the family’s apartment, Pierce County sheriff’s Detective Ed Troyer said.

Silva’s 24-year-old wife, pregnant with her fourth child, was booked into jail as detectives tried to determine whether she was acting in self-defense.

"There was a possibility he came at her," Troyer said. "We still have to do some investigating."

The couple had warrants in Alaska and were under court order to avoid contact with each other and to remain within that state, he said.

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