Man Charged with Criminal Homicide for Fatal Stabbing Inside Madison Hotel Room

Matthew McFarlin, 39, is charged with criminal homicide for the fatal stabbing of Patrick Panella, 42, inside a room at the WoodSpring Suites at 122 Liberty Lane in Madison.

Officers responded to the hotel on the night of October 15 after a hotel employee conducted a welfare check of the room and found Panella deceased. A review of video surveillance showed Panella entering the room on the morning of October 7. McFarlin departed the same room a couple of hours later. Panella was not seen exiting the room after the morning of October 7.

After the Medical Examiner determined that Panella’s death was a homicide at autopsy, investigation led by Detective Bobby Samuels led to McFarlin’s arrest on Tuesday.