The attack was reported shortly after 5 a.m. in the 3900 block of Lankershim Boulevard, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson said. Authorities initially said the woman was stabbed as she exited a subway train at the station, but later said it happened on the train.
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"The attack occurred on the train. Somewhere between the last stop and here at Universal City station," said LAPD Det. Meghan Aguilar. "She then is able to exit, and the suspect exits as well, but the attack does occur on the train."
Emergency responders transported the woman to a hospital, where she died, police said. The victim was described as being in her 50s. Her name was not released.
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Around 5:30 a.m., a man was detained at the Ventura/Vineland bus station, just a few blocks away from where the attack occurred.
The suspect, Elliot Tramel Nowden, 45, of Los Angeles, was later booked on suspicion of murder and held on $2 million bail, according to the LAPD.
A photo of the suspect was released as investigators "strongly believe there are additional, unreported victims of Nowden." Anyone who may have been victimized by the suspect was asked to come forward.
Police said they interviewed witnesses and reviewed evidence during their investigation.
Authorities said there were no reports of anything happening before the attack, leading them to believe that it was random.
The Universal/Studio City Metro station was closed during the investigation and was reopened by mid-afternoon.
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Anyone with information about the stabbing was asked to call the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers hotline at (800) 222-TIPS.