A top Democratic strategist who was well known in North Carolina for her work on high-profile campaigns died early Wednesday after she and her husband were stabbed in their home earlier this week, reportedly by the best man at their wedding.
Police say Jamie Kirk Hahn, 29, and her husband Nation Richard Hahn, 27, were attacked in their Raleigh, N.C., home Monday by Jonathan Broyhill, 31. The Hahns were rushed to a hospital, where Nation Hahn was treated and released. Jamie Kirk Hahn died from her injuries early Wednesday.
Broyhill was reportedly having dinner with the Hahns Monday night and attacked Jamie Hahn when Nation left the room, sources close to the case told WRAL.com. She reportedly managed to escape and ran into the street, where an unidentified neighbor called 911. Asked who the attacker was, the caller answered, "Jon Broyhill."
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Broyhill worked for Sky Blue Strategies, Jamie Kirk Hahn's political consulting firm, and police are also investigating claims that he made questionable campaign finance reports.
Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Miller, D-N.C., worked with both Jamie Hahn and Broyhill through Sky Blue on his re-election campaign in 2012. He hypothesized that the attack on the Hahns could have
stemmed from a confrontation about the investigation.
"It’s probably the case that Jamie was asking questions on behalf of the campaign about campaign finances. I think it’s bound to be part of the investigation of Jon's motive," he told the Charlotte News & Observer.
Police say they will charge Broyhill with murder and assault with a deadly weapon.
"We lost a beautiful and loving wife, daughter, and friend," Jamie Hahn's family said in a statement. "We all lost a pure and brave spirit. She had a gift for bringing us together — black and white, young and old, gay and straight. She challenged us to work together for a better world."
Broyhill was a longtime friend of the couple's and the best man at their 2009 wedding.
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In Facebook photos, Broyhill and Nation Hahn pose in various destinations, and in a photo dated Feb. 18, 2013, Broyhill and Jamie are pictured with their arms around each other. The caption, written by Nation, reads: "Happy Birthday to one of the best people and friends in the world — Jon Broyhill!" The trio also appear in the cover photo on Jamie's Facebook page, wearing sunglasses and clinking piña coladas.
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