SPROUSE Authorities are investigating the death of Michael William Carpenter, 48, of 131-B Marietta Road, Gaffney, who suffered a fatal stab wound to the chest early Sunday.

Patricia Ann Sprouse, 50, also of 131-B Marietta Road, was taken into custody by Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department officers. She has been charged with murder.

Carpenter and Sprouse were reportedly in the midst of a heated argument around 5:30 a.m. Sunday when things took a turn for the worse, according to a report issued by Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler.

Carpenter was pronounced dead at the scene.

Capt. Joel Hill of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said investigators are piecing details together as to what caused the incident to escalate to violence.

“Detectives will continue to look into things this week, hoping to find more answers into what may have caused Mr. Carpenter’s death,” Hill said.

However, the incident further brings to light the problem of domestic violence in Cherokee County.

“We answer a lot of domestic calls, so I would say it is a bit of a problem,” Hill said. “It’s not a usual occurrence for incidents to end with someone losing their life. But this does show that domestic violence definitely can have fatal consequences.”

An autopsy on Carpenter will be conducted in Newberry today to assist in the investigation.