Man accused of stabbing girlfriend 30 times in Gastonia

GASTONIA, N.C. — Prosecutors in a Gaston County courtroom Monday described a violent attack on Amoritta Starr Costner, 38.

Eduardo Rojas is accused of stabbing Costner, who was his girlfriend.

"The victim in this case was stabbed over 30 times,” assistant district attorney Brandon Graham said. “The defendant did try to cover up the crime scene."

The judge gave him a $2 million bond for the murder charge he is now facing.

"I just want justice for my sister," Marissa Gidney said.

The homicide happened on Thursday.

"How can you absorb the loss of a loved one, especially your sister," Gidney said. "She walked through a room and you could just see her personality through her smile."

The mother of two young children was found in the bathroom of the home she shared with Rojas.

A friend said Costner said she was afraid that Rojas would hurt or even kill her.

Prosecutors and police returned to the home on West 10th Avenue in Gastonia.

Prosecutors said they will take the case against Rojas to the grand jury as soon as possible.

Rojas was convicted eight years in New Jersey of aggravated assault and unlawful possession of weapons.

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