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College track athlete allegedly stabbed to death by girlfriend over suspected affair
By Scott Thompson
Published February 25, 2026
The girlfriend of a college track and field athlete was arrested for allegedly stabbing her boyfriend to death.
Kevaughn Goldson, a senior sprinter from Jamaica, was killed in a stabbing off Lincoln University’s campus in Jefferson City, Missouri.
Goldson, 23, was found with stab wounds in his back and chest after police were called to a house Monday morning. He died from his injuries after being taken to a hospital.
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Denita Jackson, 27, has been charged in the murder of her boyfriend, Kevaughn Goldson, 23, after an incident at Lincoln University. (Lincoln University/Cole County Sheriff's Office)
"Our thoughts are with family, friends, faculty, staff and all who have been impacted by this tragic situation," Lincoln University told KRCG in a press release about Goldson’s death.
"The well-being of our university community is our greatest priority. Students and employees are reminded of counseling and other support services for those who need them."
Goldson’s girlfriend, Denita Jackson, was charged by Cole County prosecutors with second-degree murder and armed criminal action.
KMIZ in Missouri reported that there were past issues of domestic violence between the two. Jackson, 27, also ran track and field at Lincoln University.
Investigators questioned Jackson, who allegedly told them she believed Goldson was having an affair with one of her roommates, saying she found him in bed with her, both clothed, after returning home.
Starting blocks at the 120th Penn Relays at Franklin Field (Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports)
Jackson opened her roommate’s locked door with a hair clip after hearing her roommate talking with someone in her room, according to court documents. The documents said Jackson jumped on her roommate’s bed and grabbed Goldson by the shirt and a bottle of cologne that had allegedly been missing, leading to a fight.
Goldson then allegedly started to choke Jackson while on top of her, leading to the latter grabbing a knife from under the bed and stabbing Goldson.
Jackson reportedly called police about the incident, and authorities initially took Goldson to Capital Regional Emergency Room. He was then airlifted to University Hospital, where he eventually died during surgery.
Hurdles at a track & field event (C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
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Goldson, who stood 6 feet, 160 pounds, was a middle distance runner with the Blue Tigers earlier in his college career before moving into a sprinting role with the program.
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https://www.foxnews.com/sports/college-track-athlete-allegedly-stabbed-death-girlfriend-over-suspected-affair