Authorities have identified the woman who was stabbed by her boyfriend late at night in an Apple Valley neighborhood before he fatally turned the knife on himself.

The violence early Monday in the backyard of an unoccupied house was the culmination of a "rolling domestic" confrontation between the Burnsville couple that began with "discussing and arguing," police Capt. Nick Francis said.

Michelle Armstrong, 25, was recovering from her wounds in Regions Hospital and is expected to survive, Francis said. Her boyfriend, Alexander Mooney, 26, died of the wounds he inflicted upon himself about 4 a.m. behind a house in the 13500 block of Everest Avenue.

Armstrong told police that the couple's dispute grew and "got progressively more violent," leading to her being stabbed, Francis said.

Francis said his department "treats domestic violence with the utmost importance. We recommend that anyone in a romantic relationship be aware of the potential for increased violence and the dangers you could face in that relationship. Concerns or suspicions should be reported to the police or a trusted relative or friend."

Police were crediting an alert motorist in the neighborhood with bringing officers and medical personnel to her side in time to save her life.

The motorist, Josh Mathre, saw the couple's vehicle pulled over by the side of the road on Ellice Trail at Pilot Knob Road with its headlights off and called 911.

"I see a lot of deer driving to work that time of day," Mathre said Thursday, "so I'm always extra alert."

Mathre said he went slowly past the vehicle and didn't see anyone inside, "so I called 911. ... Multiple officers arrived within a couple minutes and took off into the trees with flashlights. It was [the Police Department's] quick response and handling of the situation that saved this girl. Kudos to them for sure."

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482