Rifet Redzic: Man accused of stabbing girlfriend multiple times after reporting it as self-inflicted

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA: A 53-year-old Florida man who was detained this week on suspicion of killing his girlfriend is accused of stabbing her several times, including in the back. The man afterward asserted that he had caused his wounds.

Authorities say that Rifet Redzic was arrested on Wednesday, March 13, and is facing one count of first-degree murder in connection with the death of 50-year-old Nafa Secic.

The knife used for stabbing was later used as evidence

A news release from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office states that on March 9, at around 9:50 p.m., patrol deputies assigned to the Patrol Operations Bureau responded to a call concerning a "suicidal subject" at a home located in St Petersburg, Florida, which is 20 miles southwest of Tampa.

The press release states that the caller reported to the emergency dispatcher that his girlfriend, Secic, had stabbed herself to death.

First responders reported finding Secic in her bedroom with multiple stab wounds to her abdomen and chest when they arrived at the scene. A knife that was discovered there was turned into evidence after she was declared dead at the scene.

Redzic told investigators what he said had happened while he was still at the scene when deputies discovered his girlfriend.

“He told detectives he was sleeping, and when he woke up, he witnessed Secic go to the kitchen and retrieve a knife before returning to their bedroom where she began stabbing herself,” the release states.

It further read, “Redzic told detectives he attempted to stop Secic but was unsuccessful.”

Rifet Redzic threatened Nafa Secic with knife before stabbing

Authorities, however, claimed that Redzic's later statements and the tangible evidence refuted his original account. Detectives said that as the investigation went on, they discovered another stab wound on Secic's back.

Additionally, they claimed that Redzic "provided detectives with several inconsistent statements about what had occurred" after Secic's death.

“When detectives interviewed Redzic, he initially maintained the claim that Secic stabbed herself but then continued to provide detectives with inconsistent statements,” the release states.

“Redzic eventually admitted to stabbing Secic in the back, but maintained the other stab wounds were self-inflicted,” the release continued.

Detectives claimed that in a post-Miranda interview, Redzic stated that Secic “first threatened him with a knife then stabbed herself in the abdomen,” according to a probable cause affidavit that Law&Crime was able to obtain.

By the affidavit, Redzic didn't say "he stabbed her in the back" until after she had stabbed herself.

In the end, investigators found that Redzic was responsible for all five of Secic's stab wounds, which included three in the chest, one in the abdomen, and one in the back.

Redzic is being held without bond at the Pinellas County Jail right now. On Thursday, March 14, at 1:30 p.m., he is expected in court.