Grinning hatchet attacker arrested in North Dakota — she allegedly attacked her boyfriend while he was sleeping

A 23-year-old North Dakota woman’s grinning mugshot has gone viral after authorities accused her of attempted murder in a hatchet attack on her boyfriend while he was asleep. Witnesses overheard that attack and said it sounded like “splitting wood.”

According to the North Dakota news outlet Valley News Live, the incident happened on September 5, 2025. Lena Deoliveira, her boyfriend Jonathan Granados, and the witness — unnamed in the press — all sheltered in an unattached garage in Fargo, and were possibly unhoused when the assault happened.

The victim’s fingers were missing or “kind of hanging”

According to The Forum of Fargo-Moorehead, the witness woke up when he heard Granados screaming. Deoliveira’s charging documents state, “[The witness] looked and saw Lena swing down with the hatchet. [The witness] couldn’t see the point of the strike due to obstructions but heard it sound like splitting wood, initially thinking she hit the headrest or headboard.”

According to charging documents, the witness approached Granados and saw, “one or two of Johnny’s fingers were missing or ‘kind of hanging.’ He saw blood and a mark through Johnny’s skull.” A local medical facility treated Grandados for his severe injuries to his head and hands.

After the attack, Deoliveira reportedly fled the scene, and police arrested her without incident two days later, on September 7.

According to the Fargo Police Department‘s social media, authorities took Deolivereira into custody in Clay County, Minnesota, about twenty miles away from Fargo, across the border, and booked her into the Clay County Jail, where she awaiting extradition back to Fargo.

According to The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, authorities are holding her on a $500,000 bond, and the court has scheduled her next appearance for October 16. Her motive is unclear.

Unconfirmed social media comments, however, add context to the situation. “Homegirl has a few babies too.. last I knew she was working a few jobs n whatnot, praying for your safety girl. and a fair trial,” one said. “If you all only knew the childhood she had. She’s had a very rough life. She deserved so much better!!” another added.