8 year-old boy dies, becomes third victim in Valentine’s Day stabbing

An 8-year-old eastern Missouri boy has died from injuries suffered in a stabbing during a domestic dispute.

Warren County authorities say Mason Vandiver died about 1 a.m. Tuesday at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center in St. Louis. He had been on life-support since the attack Friday night at a home near Jonesburg.

Mason’s mother, 29-year-old Lexy Vandiver, died in the stabbing, along with her co-worker who was visiting the home, 22-year-old Tara Lynn Fifer of Montgomery City, who was employed as a CNA at New Florence Care Center in New Florence.

More details indicate Shawn Kavanagh of Bellflower was allegedly upset with his estranged wife, who was visiting friends in the trailer on Humber Road just outside of Jonesburg.

A court ruling from Montgomery County ordered Shawn Kavanagh to stay away from his wife, Jessie Kavanagh, after assaulting her in January. But on Friday, authorities believe he went to the rural home looking for her and was asked to leave. That’s when investigators say he returned to his vehicle, grabbed a knife and attacked those inside the home.

Police found the victims inside the home with multiple puncture wounds and lacerations after Shawn Kavanagh called 911. An 8-year-old and Kavanagh’s wife, Jessie, were airlifted to area hospitals, including University Hospital in Columbia.

Neighbors told ABC 17 News the boy had major brain swelling and three broken vertebrae with wounds to his hands and arms. They described him as “like a grandson.”

A relative of Jessie Kavanagh said she was in a drug-induced coma following surgery on Saturday. An 18-month-old girl was unharmed.

Kavanagh is being held in the Warren County jail.

Stay with ABC 17 News and abc17news.com for updates on this developing story.