Two men from Canada, Devin Wolfgang Vandorhoef and Darius Avery Whyte, both 25, have been apprehended and charged with attempted murder following an incident in California. Vandorhoef, who had reportedly developed an obsession with a woman he met on an online gaming platform, traveled from Canada to California with Whyte. The duo arrived at the woman’s residence in Salinas, California, where a violent encounter ensued.
On the evening of November 25, local law enforcement responded to a distress call from an address later identified as the woman’s home. The call reported a stabbing incident. According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, Vandorhoef, disguised as an Amazon delivery driver, arrived at the woman’s residence with a package.
Upon arrival, Vandorhoef allegedly forced his way into the home when the woman’s boyfriend opened the door. He then reportedly began stabbing the boyfriend, causing him severe injuries. The woman attempted to defend her boyfriend with a sharp metal object but was allegedly stabbed and strangled by Vandorhoef. Both the woman and Vandorhoef sustained injuries that required medical attention at a nearby hospital.
The package Vandorhoef carried contained handcuffs, duct tape, and knives, according to the police. The intended use of these items remains unclear. Whyte, who was present during the incident, was arrested but claimed ignorance of Vandorhoef’s intentions. He was released, only to be arrested again the following morning at the San Jose Mineta International Airport, while on a plane set to return to Canada.
Vandorhoef faces charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit attempted murder, mayhem, stalking, and burglary. Whyte, as a co-conspirator, is also charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit attempted murder. Both men are currently detained at the Monterey County Jail, with Vandorhoef’s bond set at $4.15 million and Whyte’s at $1 million.
In a conversation with local NBC affiliate KSBW, Chief Assistant District Attorney Berkley Brannon described the case as “extraordinary,” adding that it was “one of the strangest cases I’ve ever seen.” Both men were arraigned on December 2, after a delay to allow Vandorhoef to recover from his injuries. They pleaded not guilty, with their next court date scheduled for December 10.