18-year-old Fairbanks man charged with manslaughter after fight with brother

An 18-year-old Fairbanks man has been charged with manslaughter after a fight with his intoxicated brother escalated to a fatal stabbing early Monday morning.

According to a release from Fairbanks Police Department, officers responded to a residence at MLH Manor on 7th Ave. near downtown Fairbanks in response to a stabbing just after 5:45 a.m. Monday.

On the scene, police found that 29-year-old Jonathan Matthew Titus had been stabbed in the chest. Titus was pronounced dead about an hour later.

Investigators determined that Titus was drinking alcohol over the course of the previous night and morning, waking his 18-year-old brother, Dustin Charley, multiple times in the night to make him alcoholic drinks, according to the release.

Police say Charley went back to bed after the first disturbance, but was awoken again about five hours later, at which point "Titus got involved in a pushing match with Charley," before the two separated themselves and Charley returned to his sleeping area.

Not long after, Titus reportedly demanded Charley make him another alcoholic drink, which Charley did before returning to bed again.

Minutes later, officers say Titus began pounding on Charley's bedroom door while Charley attempted to hold the door shut. Titus eventually forced his way in and the two began to fight.

FPD says Charley was able to subdue Titus, who eventually walked away. Charley told police that at this point, "he was scared of the way Titus was behaving and armed himself with a small knife."

Shortly after, Titus forced the door open again, prompting Charley to charge and stab Titus.

Charley called 911 after the stabbing occurred.

He was taken into custody and charged with a single count of manslaughter.

Titus' family has been notified.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Det. Avery Thompson at 907-450-6550.