
**UPDATE** The Orange County Sheriff’s Office says it has taken 53-year-old Matthew Jared Vukmer into custody. Vukmer is charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of 54-year-old Paula Floyd at Vukmer’s Hillsborough home Friday morning.
The sheriff’s office says an investigator working with the U.S. Marshals Carolina Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Capital Area Regional Task Force in Grayson County, VA, captured Vukmer at approximately 5:15 p.m. Friday evening.
Vukmer reportedly declined to speak to investigators and requested an attorney. The sheriff’s office says he currently awaits extradition to North Carolina, which may take “several weeks.” Vukmer’s truck, which he drove away from his residence Friday morning, will be towed to the Orange County impound lot for processing.
“I am proud of the work our investigators did today,” said Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood. “Our task force agreement with our federal partners once again served as a force multiplier, allowing us to quickly apprehend the suspect. We know the family and friends of Paula Floyd experienced a life-shattering event today, and we continue to extend our condolences. It is our hope that they take some small measure of comfort knowing that her assailant is in custody.”
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is actively searching for 53-year-old Matthew Jared Vukmer after he allegedly stabbed 54-year-old Paula Floyd to death Friday morning at Vukmer’s Hillsborough home. Investigators with the sheriff’s office say they have obtained a first-degree murder charge for Vukmer.
Authorities describe Vukmer as a five-foot-eleven white male with no facial hair. He was last seen wearing a dark T-shirt and green shorts. When he left his residence, located on Running Pine Court southeast of downtown Hillsborough, Vukmer was reportedly driving a dark-colored Ford Super Duty truck with North Carolina license tag JL-6012.

53-year-old Matthew Vukmer is wanted on a first-degree murder charge. He should be considered dangerous. (Image via Orange County Sheriff’s Office)

Matthew Vukmer’s truck, which he drove away from his Hillsborough residence Friday morning. (Image via Orange County Sheriff’s Office)
The sheriff’s office says Vukmer should be considered dangerous and may still be in possession of a knife or other weapon. Anyone who sees him is asked to call 911 immediately and not approach. Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact investigator T. Hall of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at 919-245-2905.
“I offer my deepest condolences to Ms. Floyd’s family and friends,” said Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood. “We are eager to get Vukmer into custody as soon as possible, and we ask people to be on the lookout for him or his truck.”
Featured image via Orange County Sheriff’s Office
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
Related Stories
‹

The Orange County Trial Over 2 Teens' Violent Deaths Begins. Here's What to KnowThree years after the deaths of Lyric Woods and Devin Clark in rural Orange County, the prosecution and defense will fully argue their cases.

Teenage Suspect in Orange County Double-Murder Makes First Superior Court AppearanceIssiah Ross, who is accused of killing two other teenagers in rural Orange County, made his first appearance in superior court.

A Star Witness, Snapchat Messages and Phone Records: Prosecution Advances Testimony in Issiah Ross TrialInformation critical to the prosecution's first-degree murder case against Issiah Ross was shared during Tuesday's testimony.

Testimony to Resume in Trial Over Woods-Clark Killing; Here's Where Proceedings StandAfter four days of action last week, the jury will resume hearing people share their recollections around the two teenagers' 2022 deaths.

Opening Statements, Crime Scene Testimony Shared in Woods-Clark Murder TrialBoth the prosecution and the defense of Issiah Ross began to lay out their cases around his level of guilt in the 2022 shooting deaths.

Sheriff Offers Reward After Lyric Woods, Devin Clark Memorial Vandalized Near Anniversary of MurdersA year removed from the murder of two local high school students, Orange County authorities are still seeking justice in their case. And this weekend, they are also seeking justice over vandalism of a hand-made memorial in their honor. A release from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office on Friday alerted the public to Lyric Woods’ […]

Top Stories of 2022: Teens' Double-Murder Sends Orange County Community ReelingTo reflect on the year, Chapelboro.com is re-publishing some of the top stories that impacted and defined our community’s experience in 2022. These stories and topics affected Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the rest of our region. Missing persons cases are not uncommon in Orange County — especially among juveniles. But two families’ worst fears became […]
![]()
Orange County DA's Office to Seek Adult Trial for 17-Year-Old Murder SuspectThe deaths of teenagers Lyric Woods and Devin Clark in northern Orange County last month shocked the community. Many people are still waiting for answers and details to emerge – with that information expected to be shared shortly, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors confirmed on Wednesday that they will seek to […]

Orange County Sheriff: Paula Floyd Murder Suspect in Local Custody After Extradition to N.C.UPDATE: The Orange County Sheriff's Office shared an alert on the morning of Apr. 10 saying Matthew Vukmer was now in its office's custody.

Orange County Sheriff: Suspect Captured in Stabbing Death of Hillsborough WomanOrange County Sheriff’s Office says it has taken 53-year-old Matthew Jared Vukmer into custody. Vukmer is charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of 54-year-old Paula Floyd at Vukmer’s Hillsborough home Friday morning. The sheriff’s office says an investigator working with the U.S. Marshals Carolina Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Capital Area […]
›