A Mesa domestic violence survivor who was stabbed 22 times by her former boyfriend has spoken publicly about the attack after he was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Erin Hume was assaulted at her home in Arizona on 22 August 2025, after Tyler Riddle entered the property late at night. Her two children were present and one of them called 911 to report that his mother was bleeding.
Audio from the emergency call captures the boy telling the dispatcher that one of his mother’s ex-boyfriends was inside. He could also be heard shouting at Riddle to leave the house and pleading with operators to send help.
Mesa police officers arrived to find Hume suffering from multiple stab wounds, including a deep injury across her throat. She was also wounded in the liver, lungs and diaphragm.
Officers used a tourniquet on her leg before she was taken to hospital. Hume spent weeks in intensive care and later said she could not remember the attack.
Her children told police they had woken after hearing screams and had seen Riddle punching their mother. When they tried to intervene, he struck them in the face, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
Police body-camera footage shows officers forcing their way into the property after hearing screams. Riddle was arrested at the scene, while Hume was assisted by officers inside the home.
Riddle pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and two counts of child abuse, all domestic violence-related felony offences. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with the sentence announced on 13 October 2026.
At his sentencing hearing, Hume told the court: “He may have thought that stabbing me 22 times would be the end of my story; instead I am standing here today, alive, speaking for myself, speaking for my children, and refusing to let what he did become the definition of who I am.”
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said the children’s bravery and the swift response from Mesa police had helped save Hume’s life. Mesa Police Chief Dan Butler said domestic abuse often escalated from emotional manipulation to serious physical violence.
Hume said there had been warning signs during the relationship, including Riddle’s anger, the destruction of her phone and earlier domestic violence incidents. She said she had dismissed the behaviour and believed an attack of that kind could not happen to her.
“Don’t be naïve. If you think there’s a red flag, pay attention to it. It could get worse,” Hume said. “There are resources and people willing to help.”
Anyone experiencing domestic abuse in the United States can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline on 800-799-SAFE (7233), text START to 88788 or use its online chat service. The service is free, confidential and available around the clock.
