COVINGTON — This city's first homicide of the year is a mysterious stabbing that left a 50-year-old man dead and police with a suspect but no clear motive.

        Dennis Lee Vodde, 50, address unknown, was fatally stabbed in the chest Friday evening in the 1800 block of Madison Avenue.

        Covington Police said Pasquale Rejrat, 54, who lives at the address, took one jab at Mr. Vodde, who soon went unconscious.

        Mr. Vodde was unresponsive when police arrived shortly after 7:30 p.m. He was transported to St. Elizabeth Medical Center North in Covington, where he was pronounced dead.

        It is Covington's first homicide this year. Last year the city had three.

        Covington Police Sgt. Teal Nally said the investigation continues and that no information on possible motives has appeared.

        Witnesses, who claimed to have seen Mr. Vodde's body dragged from the Madison Avenue building by as many as three men, are to be interviewed by investigators.

        Mr. Rejrat is being held without bail at the Kenton County Jail, where he has been charged with murder.

       E-mail mclark@enquirer.com
       

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