Man arrested in police chase after deadly Columbus stabbing, hit-and-run
A Georgia man is now facing charges after stabbing his on-and-off girlfriend to death, striking a vehicle, and leading law enforcement on a police chase.
The incident began around 5:28 P.M. on April 28, 2025, when Columbus police officers had responded to a hit-and-run incident in the 3000 block of Williams Road at the Summit Pointe Apartments. A white SUV struck a parked vehicle before fleeing the scene, prompting officers to begin their investigation.
“As officers were conducting their inquiry into the crash, they were alerted to a troubling situation nearby,” police said. “Family members of Abigail Cadoura, 22, reported that she had missed a planned meeting and was unresponsive to calls. Cadoura, known to drive a white SUV, was later located traveling north on I-85.”
Upon receiving this information, officers conducted a welfare check at Cadoura’s apartment where they discovered her deceased inside her unit, with multiple stab wounds.
The Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene to take over the investigation. “The police then began tracing the missing vehicle, which was located in Banks County, Georgia,” police said. “Deputies attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the driver refused to pull over, initiating a brief pursuit.” The chase ended with a crash, and the driver, later identified as 26-year-old Luke Mercardante, was taken into custody.
Mercardante remains in custody in Banks County. Once court proceedings are completed, he will be booked into the Muscogee County Jail on charges of murder and theft by taking a motor vehicle. Investigators confirmed that Cadoura and Mercardante had been involved in an on-and-off relationship, police added.
According to property records, Mercardante is known to reside at a property on Virgina Lane south of I-85, about 30 miles away from Banks County. It is unclear if Mercardante was attempting to flee to this property.
CNAW2News.com has reached out to the Banks County Sheriff’s Office for additional information regarding the police pursuit. At this time, we have not received a response. This is the seventh murder this year in Columbus.
This case remains under active investigation as police work to gather additional details surrounding the circumstances of Cadoura’s tragic death. Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact the Columbus Police Department.
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