Burnsville Woman Fatally Stabbed As Kids Were Inside Home: Police

BURNSVILLE, MN — Jason Philip Filas, 48, of Burnsville, has been charged with second-degree intentional murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of Danielle Grace Warren, 32, Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena announced Friday.

Filas is being held at the Dakota County Jail. Judge Timothy McManus set bail at $2 million with conditions. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 27 at 1:30 p.m. in Hastings.

If convicted, Filas faces up to 40 years in prison.

At around 9:35 a.m. Wednesday, Burnsville police responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at a residence. Officers noticed blood on the front door handle. One officer walked to the back of the house and saw a large amount of blood and what appeared to be an unresponsive person through a window.

Police forced entry and found Warren sitting upright against a couch with multiple stab wounds to her face, neck, and chest. A bloody 12-inch kitchen knife was discovered in the hallway between the kitchen and living room.

Warren was pronounced dead at the scene. Her two young children with Filas were found in the home but were unharmed.

Filas was not at the residence when officers arrived. Police issued an alert to surrounding law enforcement agencies.

Investigators say Warren had called her sister earlier that morning, saying Filas was "freaking out" after seeing a man leave the house on a home security camera. She said she was scared and asked for her sister’s keys so she could leave and stay with her.

In a second call, Warren pretended to be speaking with police as Filas entered the home. She then began screaming, "He has a knife, call 911, call 911, "before the line went dead.

Her sister immediately dialed 911 and called Warren back. Filas answered the phone and reportedly said, "She should have never cheated on me. You better call 911," before hanging up, police said.

A short time later, a Lakeville police officer spotted Filas’ vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. When pulled over, Filas initially complied but then fled on foot, police said. He was tasered and taken into custody.

A preliminary autopsy found at least nine stab wounds to Warren’s head, neck, and upper torso. Her death was ruled consistent with homicidal violence.

Court records show Filas had a history of domestic violence involving Warren. He was charged with domestic assault on March 13 and recently pleaded guilty to violating a domestic abuse no contact order stemming from an April 2 incident.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Call Minnesota Day One at (866) 223-1111.