Man Charged In Fatal Stabbing Of School Administrator

Updated 01/07/15 - 1:36 p.m.

CHICAGO (STMW) -- A man charged with Monday night's fatal stabbing of a woman who worked as a school administrator in the Southwest Side Ashburn neighborhood was ordered held on $1 million bond Wednesday.

Andre Brown, 26, stabbed 54-year-old Damita Collins once in the chest during a "domestic-related incident" in the 3500 block of West 77th Place about 9:45 p.m. Monday, according to police and the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Collins, who lived on the same block where she was stabbed, was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:11 p.m., according to the medical examiner's office.

Collins was site director of the Trumbull Park Head Start Program, part of the Ada S. McKinley schools.

"It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Damita Collins," a letter distributed to school staff read.

"Damita was involved in a fatal incident last night. Police are overseeing the matter. Our hearts go out to her family," the letter said. The school has made grief counseling available.

Brown, who also lived on the same block where the stabbing took place, was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder, police said.

Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil ordered him held on $1 million on Wednesday.