The Denver Post

Details emerge in Colorado Rapids player Marco Pappa’s injury.

Rapids player, Miss Washington USA appeared to be intoxicate­d

- By Elizabeth Hernandez Elizabeth Hernandez: 303- 954- 1223 or ehernandez@ denverpost. com

When police entered the Seattle apartment of Colorado Rapids player Marco Pappa, they found him with stab wounds, soaked with blood. They found a bloody kitchen knife and Miss Washington USA with blood on her hands.

Details emerged Friday from Seattle police records about Pappa’s Dec. 17 stabbing. Pappa was acquired by the Rapids from the Seattle Sounders two days before the incident.

Police records highlight the gruesome scene and shifting stories of 23- year- old Stormy Keffeler, Pappa’s ex- girlfriend and Miss Washington pageant winner.

E- mails between Keffeler and Pappa’s Seattle property manager following the incident show the former pageant winner requesting the retrieval of her Miss Washington crown and banner, three evening gowns, makeup bags, curling irons and a suitcase full of clothes. Keffeler has resigned as Miss Washington USA.

No arrests have been made in the incident, and no charges have been filed.

Pappa and Keffeler appeared to be intoxicate­d when police questioned them about how Pappa became wounded with 2to 3- inch stab wounds in his left side.

Keffeler originally said Pappa just showed up at the apartment with the wound. Then she changed her story, saying they were walking home from a bar when an unknown person bumped into Pappa before they noticed hewas hurt. Eventually, Keffeler refused to continue talking with police.

Pappa was taken to a Seattle hospital for treatment.

Inside the apartment, investigat­ors found blood trails snaking through the residence leading to blood- spattered bathroom walls with stab marks on them. One investigat­or found a bloody kitchen knife in the kitchen that was taken for evidence.

After Pappa was treated, he told investigat­ors several different stories about the night, including that he was having dinner, felt some pain and later found out he was stabbed and that after leaving a restaurant with his girlfriend, he gave money to a homeless person in the street then noticed he was stabbed.

Pappa denied that Keffeler stabbed him, stating that hewas drunk and couldn’t remember what happened.

Pappa missed the Rapids’ first preseason workout on Monday because of his current level of fitness. Coach Pablo Mastroeni said Pappa was probably a good two and a half weeks behind the rest of the players.

“We are aware of the situation and have notified Major League Soccer,” according to a Colorado Rapids statement. “We have spoken with the player and will cooperate with the League on their evaluation of this matter. At this time we will have no further comment.”

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