Baltimore Woman Charged With Murder in Fatal York Road Stabbing

Police arrested 35-year-old Chanel Ervin one day after Royal Foster, 49, was found fatally stabbed in North Baltimore.
September 12, 2026
1 min read
Baltimore police charged Chanel Ervin, 35, with first-degree murder after Royal Foster was found fatally stabbed on York Road Wednesday night.
Baltimore police charged Chanel Ervin, 35, with first-degree murder after Royal Foster was found fatally stabbed on York Road Wednesday night.

BALTIMORE – A Baltimore woman has been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of a 49-year-old man on York Road, police announced.

Chanel Ervin, 35, was taken into custody Thursday, one day after officers found Royal Foster suffering from an apparent stab wound in the 5200 block of York Road.

Medics pronounced Foster dead at the scene. Baltimore homicide detectives subsequently identified Ervin as a suspect, although police have not released information about what allegedly led to the stabbing or described the relationship between Ervin and Foster.

Police Responded to York Road for Reported Cutting

Baltimore Police were initially dispatched to the 5200 block of York Road at about 7:22 p.m. Wednesday for a reported cutting.

Officers arrived and found Foster with an apparent stab wound to his body.

Homicide detectives took over the investigation after Foster was pronounced dead.

Police announced Ervin’s arrest Friday evening. She was transported to the Central Booking Intake Facility and charged with first-degree murder.

The department did not say where Ervin was arrested or disclose what evidence investigators say connected her to Foster’s death.

Homicide Investigation Continues After Arrest

An arrest does not end the homicide investigation, and detectives are still asking anyone with information about Foster’s killing to contact them.

Tips can be provided directly to homicide detectives at 410-396-2100. People who want to remain anonymous can contact Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP or submit information through the Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland website.

Ervin’s first-degree murder charge is an allegation. She is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

The case is the latest homicide investigation in Baltimore and remains under investigation as detectives work to establish what happened before Foster was stabbed.