A tragic incident unfolded in Jefferson City, Missouri, where Kevaughn Goldson, a 23-year-old track star at Lincoln University, was fatally stabbed by his girlfriend, Denita Jackson, 27. The confrontation occurred early on February 24, 2026, after Jackson discovered Goldson in bed with her roommate.
According to court documents, Jackson returned home around 1 a.m. after feeling unwell at work. She had left Goldson in her bedroom just hours earlier. Upon her arrival, she heard her roommate speaking with someone behind a locked door. Using a hair clip to gain access, Jackson found Goldson and her roommate fully dressed in bed together.
An altercation ensued when Jackson confronted Goldson, leading to a physical struggle. Police reports indicate that Goldson retaliated by kicking Jackson, causing her to fall. In her account, Jackson claimed that Goldson then mounted her and began to choke her. In a moment of panic, she reached for a knife hidden under her roommate’s bed and stabbed Goldson in the back and chest.
Emergency services were called at 1:09 a.m. after Jackson dialed 911. Goldson was initially transported to the Capital Region Emergency Room before being airlifted to University Hospital for surgery, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Jackson was arrested shortly after the incident and has been charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action. She is currently held in Cole County Jail without bond.
In response to the incident, Lincoln University released a statement expressing condolences: “Our thoughts are with family, friends, faculty, staff, and all who have been impacted by this tragic situation.”
The investigation continues as authorities piece together the events leading up to this heartbreaking outcome. The community is left mourning the loss of a young athlete with a promising future ahead.
