Melting snow appears to have helped locate a missing knife believed to have been involved in a violent street attack in the east end of St. John's this month.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has recovered what the force believes to be the weapon used in an early morning attack on Feb. 2 on Torbay Road.

A woman, 22, was stabbed while she was walking to work.

Police and the volunteer Rovers ground search team had scoured the area near Elizabeth Avenue, even shovelling snow and ice and using a metal detector.

The RNC said the weapon is now undergoing forensic testing.

Suspect David Harrington, 19, remains in custody on assault charges. a Provincial court judge has ordered him to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

The woman was treated in hospital for her wounds. Her condition is not known.