North Dakota Woman Charged After Brutal Hatchet Attack on Sleeping Boyfriend

Lena Deoliveira, 23, has been charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault in connection with the gruesome early-morning attack that left her boyfriend seriously injured

A 23-year-old woman from North Dakota has been charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault after allegedly attacking her sleeping boyfriend with a hatchet and leaving him with life-threatening injuries.

Police say Lena Deoliveira crept up on her boyfriend, 30-year-old Jonathan Granados, around 5:30 a.m. on September 5 inside a garage on the 700 block of College Street North in Fargo, where the couple had been staying.

The violent assault happened around 5:30 a.m. on September 5, inside an attached garage near the 700 block of College Street North in Fargo where the couple had been staying. Pictured: North Dakota's most populous city, Fargo, which features the Fargo Theater

Granados was rushed to the hospital with a deep gash to his head and severely mangled fingers, some reportedly missing or hanging on by a thread, according to court documents. He told officers the assault came without warning as he slept.

A witness who was also sleeping in the garage identified Deoliveira as the attacker, telling investigators he saw her swing down with the hatchet. He recalled hearing a sound “like splitting wood” and then realizing Granados had been struck. The man described seeing a trail of blood, a wound through Granados’ skull, and fingers that appeared “kind of hanging.”

Deoliveira fled the scene, but was tracked down and arrested without incident two days later in nearby Moorhead, Minnesota, about two miles from Fargo

Following the attack, Deoliveira fled but was arrested two days later in nearby Moorhead, Minnesota, about two miles from Fargo. She was booked into the Clay County Jail before being extradited to Cass County.

In her initial court appearance, Deoliveira’s bond was set at $500,000. Her next hearing is scheduled for October 16. Authorities said she requested an attorney during questioning.

Investigators say the case relies heavily on the graphic eyewitness testimony, physical evidence, a blood trail, and disturbing crime scene photos. Granados remains in recovery as the investigation continues.