Woman gets 11 years in prison for killing boyfriend over drug treatment program

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) – A woman was sentenced to serve over a decade in the custody of the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections after pleading guilty to stabbing her boyfriend to death at an encampment in Asheville last September.

The Buncombe County District Attorney's Office said 28-year-old Kala Elaine Fralick was sentenced to serve 139 to 179 months in custody after pleading guilty to felony voluntary manslaughter Monday.

According to a release from the district attorney's office, officers with the Asheville Police Department were called to an encampment on Smokey Park Highway on September 27, 2023 in reference to a stabbing. Once on scene, officers found a victim, later identified as Dustin Lee Burwell, suffering from multiple wounds to the chest.

Reports state several people attempted to assist Burwell, however he was pronounced dead shortly after EMS arrived in the early morning hours.

Investigators said witnesses told them Burwell was living in a tent nearby with his girlfriend, Fralick, and reported they were walking up to the encampment when Burwell approached and said Fralick stabbed him.

Witnesses reported seeing Fralick leave the scene with no attempt to render aid to Burwell.

Further investigation showed that Burwell and Fralick both struggled with addiction and had been in an intimate relationship for several years. Investigators learned Burwell had recently been accepted to an inpatient treatment program out of state and intended to end the relationship with Fralick to seek treatment.

Investigators said they believe Burwell's intention to end the relationship is what led to the stabbing.

During sentencing, Fralick read a statement that expressed regret for the stabbing but claimed Burwell was intoxicated and aggressive, causing her to react in self-defense.