Autopsies Indicate Murder/Suicide

"WARSAW, IL — Warsaw Police Chief Wes Woolson says the two people found dead on Christmas Eve were the result of a murder/suicide.

"Woolson says officers were called to 245 Underwood Street at 12:30 p.m. on December 24 to conduct a welfare check at the request of a family member who couldn't reach the victims. Inside, officers found the bodies of Jerry Woods, 37, of Warsaw, and Cortny Huffman, 30, of Hamilton. Both had died of apparent gunshot wounds.

"Woolson says it appears that Woods shot Huffman and then shot himself. He says the two were in a domestic relationship that had ended three to four weeks before the incident.

"Autopsies were performed Friday by the Hancock County Coroner in Bloomington, Illinois.

"Woolson says the investigation is ongoing pending the reports by crime scene investigators and the coroner's office."

From WGEM...

Man Beats Woman To Death Before Hanging Himself

"CHICAGO, IL — A man beat a woman to death before hanging himself Wednesday evening in a murder/suicide in a Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood home on the South Side.

"The 28-year-old man and 47-year-old woman were found dead about 7:45 p.m. in the home in the 7100 block of South Ingleside, according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

"Yvonne Augustus, who lived at the home, was pronounced dead at 7:59 p.m., according to the medical examiner’s office. An autopsy Thursday found she died of multiple blunt force injuries from an assault, and her death was ruled a homicide.

"Ezra Walton, who lived on the same block as the incident, was also pronounced dead at 7:59 p.m., the medical examiner’s office said. An autopsy found he died of asphyxiation from hanging himself, and his death was ruled a suicide.

"A police source said the incident is thought to be a domestic-related, though the relationship between the pair was not immediately clear."

From CBS Chicago...

Black Friday

"CHICAGO, IL — A gunman shot a woman before turning the gun on himself Friday night in what police describe as a domestic-related shooting at the Nordstrom store on North Michigan Avenue.

"The man, whose age was not available, was targeting his `girlfriend or ex-girlfriend,` who was a seasonal employee at the department store, said John Escalante, chief of detectives for the Chicago Police Department.

"`She was working up on the second floor when he approached her, fired one shot, which struck her,` Escalante said on the scene. `He then turned the gun to himself and shot and killed himself.`

"Responders found the gunman dead when they arrived, and the woman was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition, Escalante said.

"The crowded store was hurriedly emptied of holiday shoppers after the shooting, according to witnesses. The shooting happened about 8:30 p.m. Friday.

"`This is an active scene, an ongoing investigation, but again, I can tell you it is domestic-related,` Escalante said.

"According to court records, the gunman had petitioned to have a temporary restraining order issued against the woman for stalking. That petition was denied by a Cook County judge last April, court records show.

"According to the Nordstrom website, the store was open until 9 p.m."

From the Chicago Tribune...

Bodies Of Teen, Man Found In Bedroom

"CHICAGO, IL — Peter Robert Costello allegedly stabbed Matthew Stanton to death then fatally shot himself inside a West Lawn home Wednesday afternoon in what police called a murder/suicide.

"Both bodies were found in the bedroom of a home in the 4100 block of West 63rd Street about 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, police said. A gun and knife were found near the bodies, according to a police source.

"A Thursday autopsy determined Stanton, 28, died from a stab wound to his chest and the death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

"Costello, 17, died from a gunshot wound to the head and his death was ruled a suicide, according to the medical examiner’s office.

"Both men lived on the block, according to the medical examiner’s office. The relationship between the two was not immediately known."

From the Sun-Times...

Man Dies In Hospital After Stabbing Grandmother To Death

"DIXON, IL — Investigators believe that after a fight Tuesday afternoon, Theodore `Ted` Howard, 27, stabbed his grandmother, Josephine `Jo` Howard, many times in the Woodland Shores home they shared with other family members.

"He then stabbed himself many times and left the home. Deputies, responding to a 2:40 p.m. 911 call reporting a man covered in blood and holding a knife, found him in the front yard and took the knife away.

"He was taken to KSB Hospital and later died.

"Deputies then found the body of the elder Howard inside the home at 1612 Joliet Way, the release said.

"She would have been 72 Wednesday.

"Jo Howard's daughter, Shirley Bender, 51, said Wednesday afternoon that there was no fight, and that her son, who has mental health issues and is on a variety of medications, `just snapped.`

"`The doctors keep changing his meds,` she said.

"Her mother was sitting at her computer when she was attacked, Bender said, and there was no sign of struggle in the home."

From saukvalley.com...

Struggle For Gun Injures Cop, Shooter On Life Support

"ESSEXVILLE, IL — A Sebawaing police officer was shot Thursday afternoon in Hampton Township.

"The shooting happened in the parking lot of the Bay County Juvenile Home, 520 W. Hampton Road, in the city of Essexville.

"Kunio Ouellette said he is not shaken by the shooting scare and believes his neighborhood is still safe, `It's been safe and I'm very confident that the employees there and the neighborhood here is just a wonderful place.`

"Sebawaing Police Chief William Owens said, `It's sickened me, I've known the officer since he was quite young.` The police officer was transporting a juvenile to the detention center around 1:20 p.m. when the juvenile grabbed the officer's gun, police said.

"Gerald Runde, chief of the Hampton Township Police Department, said the juvenile slipped the handcuffs off of his hand before struggling with the officer for his gun.

"The officer was shot in the right-hand and then the teenager shot himself, police said. The officers is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

"The juvenile is on life support and in critical condition. Many neighbors in the area believe the incident was isolated and will not happen again."

From minbcnews...

Elderly Couple, Adult Children Found Dead In Home

"ELMHURST, IL — Four family members were killed in a murder-suicide Saturday evening inside a residence in west suburban Elmhurst.

"Police identified the family members as 82-year-old Francis Stack, 82-year-old Joan Stack, 48-year-old Francis Stack Jr. and 57-year-old Mary Stack. All four had gunshot wounds to the head.

"According to the DuPage County Coroner, Frank Stack Sr. committed suicide after killing his wife and two kids.

"Elmhurst police responded to the request of a well-being check around 6:45 p.m. Saturday in the 600 block of Chatham Avenue. They entered a home and made the terrible discovery, finding four family members dead all with gunshot wounds.

"`When the officers arrived at the scene they entered the home and found several family members deceased,` said Elmhurst Police Chief Michael Ruth. `There is no danger to the residents or the community at this time.`

"The victims were taken to the DuPage county coroner office. The investigation is ongoing."

From CBS Chicago...

Pair Pronounced Dead At Scene

"WILLOW SPRINGS, IL — An autopsy conducted Sunday determined that a man and woman from southwest suburban Willow Springs died as a result of a murder/suicide, officials said.

"Samantha Zapata, 26, of 8348 South Archer Avenue, was pronounced dead at 9:47 a.m. Saturday, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

"An autopsy conducted today determined that the woman died from a gunshot wound to her back and her death was ruled a homicide, according to the office.

"In addition to her death, Luis M. Zapata, who lived in the same home as Samantha Zapata, was pronounced dead at the same time as the woman, according to the office.

"An autopsy ruled his death a suicide from a gunshot wound to his chest, according to the autopsy.

"Willow Springs police could not be reached for comment. Officials could not say what the relationship was between the two people."

From the Chicago Tribune...

Dead Elderly Couple Found By Their Daughters

"CHICAGO, IL — A man and woman died in what authorities called a `domestic-related murder/suicide` Tuesday night in the South Side Bridgeport neighborhood.

"Chen Su and his wife, Hsin Su, both 84, were discovered by their daughters in a bedroom of their home on 911 West 31st Place about 9 p.m., according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

"Both apparently suffered gunshot wounds to the head and were pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

"An autopsy Wednesday showed both died of gunshot wounds to the head. It ruled Chen Su’s death a suicide, and Hsin Su’s death a homicide, the medical examiner’s office said.

"Police said a weapon was discovered next to the man’s body, and he is believed to be the shooter."

From suntimes.com...

Downsized Employee Shoots CEO, Self

"CHICAGO, IL — An executive with a Loop company, upset that he was being demoted, walked into the CEO's office on LaSalle Street this morning and shot him twice before turning the gun on himself, police said.

"Tony DeFrances, 59, was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head at the scene. His friend and CEO of ArrowStream, Steven LaVoie, 54, was shot in the head and abdomen and was in critical condition at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, authorities said.

"DeFrances had been told last Friday that he was being demoted as the company was downsizing, according to Chicago police Superintendent Garry McCarthy.

"He asked for a one-on-one meeting with LaVoie this morning in his 17th floor offices at 231 S. LaSalle St., McCarthy said. Workers heard shots around 9:55 a.m.

"`Apparently he was despondent over the fact that he got demoted,` McCarthy said of DeFrances."

Read more at the Chicago Tribune...

Man Will Face Murder Charges After Botched Suicide

"MORTON GROVE, IL — A 74-year-old north suburban man charged with killing his wife in a failed murder/suicide attempt had been arrested for domestic battery the previous day.

"Howard Kim, who was released this week from Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge after being treated for a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest, now faces a murder charge for killing his wife, 71-year-old Chung Kim.

"The elderly couple was found unresponsive with gunshot wounds in their home in the 5500 block of Madison Street in Morton Grove on Friday, according to Morton Grove police.

"Chung Kim was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. An autopsy Sunday found she died of multiple gunshot wounds and her death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

"Morton Grove Police Commander Paul Yaras told [reporters] Chung Kim called police on June 26 to report a domestic dispute with her husband.

"A neighbor across the street, who asked not to be identified, said he saw the woman taken away in an ambulance on the Thursday before the murder, while her husband was arrested outside the home.

"Howard Chung was released the following day after Yaras said his wife refused to press charges.

"What happened on Friday night is not entirely clear, but police say Howard Kim shot his wife several times before turning the gun on himself.

"A family member called police to `report a problem at the house,` police said.

"When officers arrived, they found the couple lying on the floor unresponsive.

"Neighbors described the Kims as a quiet couple who kept to themselves.

"Howard Kim has been charged with first-degree murder and will appear in court at a later date."

From FOX Chicago...

Dead Couple "Kept To Themselves"

"BARTLETT, IL — A couple found dead in their Bartlett home died in an apparent murder/suicide, authorities said Wednesday.

"They have been identified by Bartlett police as Eileen P. Sulli, 55, and David H. Stone, 49.

"Police discovered the bodies Tuesday about 7 p.m. after authorities were called to the townhome on 531 Horizon Drive officers for a well-being check, according to Bartlett Police Sgt. Geoffrey Pretkelis.

"Sulli was found in the living room and Stone was in an upstairs bathroom, he said.

"The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office determined following an autopsy that the woman died from head injuries suffered in an assault in a homicide. The man died from multiple sharp force injuries and his death was ruled a suicide, according to the medical examiner’s office.

"A neighbor, Daniel Somenek, said the couple had lived in the home for about six years. The man had lost his job about a month ago, and the woman worked at a Walgreens.

"Somenek said police knocked on his door about 7 p.m. Tuesday and asked when the last time he saw his neighbors. He told them five or six days ago. The officers then broke down the door and found the two bodies, he said.

"Somenek described the couple as `very quiet, very nice. They kept to themselves.`

"He said there was no sign of trouble. `I find this very surprising,` he said."

Source: Chicago Tribune...

SWAT Team Finds Bodies Of Mother, Son

"GENESEO, IL — The bodies of a mother and her son were removed late Thursday from a Geneseo residence where, neighbors said, gun shots were heard earlier in the evening.

"The Henry County coroner, Illinois State Police crime scene investigators and Geneseo police were on the scene of the incident at 604 E. Pearl St.

"Police Chief Tom Piotrowski said police received an emergency call about a possibly deceased person and an armed suspect late Thursday afternoon. Geneseo police officers responded, then called a SWAT team to the scene.

"Inside, officers found the two bodies. David Johnson, Henry County coroner, said the two people were pronounced dead at 6:35 p.m. Autopsies and toxicology testing may be scheduled today.

"Johnson identified the bodies as a mother and son, and said they did not live together. Names were not being released pending notification of relatives.

"Piotrowski said police are not seeking additional people in connection with the case."

From qctimes.com...

Police Salute As Body Removed From Scene

"CHICAGO, IL — A Cook County sheriff's office correctional officer apparently shot to death his wife, a Chicago police officer, inside their Southwest Side home Sunday morning before turning the gun on himself, authorities said.

"Javier Acevedo and his wife, Veronica Rizzo-Acevedo, were found dead about 5 a.m. inside their home on 5314 South Austin Avenue, according to Cook County sheriff’s office spokeswoman Cara Smith. Chicago police said the deaths are being investigated as an apparent murder/suicide but released no other information as of Sunday evening.

"`It is a tremendous tragedy any day, particularly for Easter Sunday,` Smith said.

"Smith said the two, both 50 years old, were found inside a bedroom.

"Rizzo-Acevedo’s adult daughter heard the gunfire in the Garfield Ridge home and called 911, according a law enforcement source.

"Smith said Javier Acevedo was a 25-year veteran and worked at the county jail.

"Rizzo-Acevedo had served as a Chicago police officer for nearly two decades, Superintendent Garry McCarthy said in a statement Sunday.

"`Officer Veronica Rizzo-Acevedo's death earlier today in a domestic murder-suicide is an awful tragedy for her family, her friends, her colleagues in the Chicago Police Department, and the people of this city,` he said.

"A fire department responder discovered a gun lying under Javier Acevedo's body, and the two were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the law enforcement source.

"Police could be seen saluting as one of the victim’s bodies was removed from the home around 9 a.m."

From the Chicago Tribune...

Dad Hangs Himself After Fatally Slashing Daughter, 3

"WOODRIDGE, IL — A 34-year-old Woodridge man fatally stabbed his 3-year-old daughter Friday and took his own life, police said Saturday.

"Robert Bzdek hanged himself in a bedroom of the house on 2705 Meadowdale Lane after stabbing the girl and was found by his teen stepson, who called police, according to a family member.

"`I watched as they carried... my limp sister out the door,` 17-year-old Emanuel Szyszka wrote in an email.

"Woodridge police released no details about what led to the killing but called it a murder/suicide. Police found the two after being called to the home about 4:30 p.m. Friday, a news release said.

"Robert Bzdek was pronounced dead at the scene, and Zuzanna Bzdek was taken to Edward Hospital and Health Services in Naperville, where she died in surgery, according to police."

Source: Chicago Tribune...

Authorities Can't Explain Triple Murder/Suicide

"OAK LAWN, IL — Matthew Meier was celebrating his 5th birthday by spending the night with his grandparents John and Janice Conta in Oak Lawn. What happened next authorities can't explain.

"Sometime overnight, Matthew's uncle John Conta Jr. shot all three dead. He also poured gasoline in the basement and lit it, according to police and fire officials.

"Autopsies conducted today determined that all of the people died from shotgun wounds. After shooting his family members, Conta Jr. committed suicide by shooting himself in the face, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

"One of the first firefighters on the scene Wednesday morning entered the garage of the home on 9809 South 51st Avenue as Conta Jr. pulled the trigger of a shotgun and killed himself too, police said.

"`What made him go into this rampage, I don’t know if we’ll ever know that,` said Oak Lawn Police Division Chief Michael Kaufmann.

"Conta Jr. had spent about a year working as a potato farmer in Russia before moving back with his parents a few months, police said.

"`When he came back, he seemed a little different,` Kaufmann said. `His mental state may have changed.`

"He said Oak Lawn police had no prior contact with Conta Jr. or the family. John and Janice Conta were both in their 60s.

"Autopsies were scheduled today."

Read more at the Chicago Tribune...

Murder Suspect Found Dead

"DANVILLE, IL — Authorities in east central Illinois say a man found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Parke County, Indiana, was a suspect in the murder of a 40-year-old Illinois woman.

"The woman, Jamie L. Sternberger, was found fatally shot Sunday in her mobile home near Danville. Her vehicle was found Sunday in Indiana at an undisclosed spot where 43-year-old Michael Penrose is believed to have committed suicide.

"Chief Deputy Bill Todd of the Parke County, Indiana, sheriff's office says Penrose may have been living with Sternberger for about six months at her home outside of Danville where her body was found.

"Capt. Rod Kaag of the Vermilion County sheriff's department [said] investigators consider Penrose the only suspect in the murder."

From thesouthern.com...

Pair Found Dead On The Scene

"MAYWOOD, IL — A man fatally shot a woman and then turned the gun on himself Saturday afternoon at their Maywood home, authorities said.

"The two were identified as a 48-year-old man named Donya Davis, who died of a gunshot wound to the head and a 41-year-old woman named Sonya Davis, who died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

"Autopsies today ruled Donya Davis' death a suicide and Sonya Davis' death a homicide, according to the medical examiner's office.

"The two, who lived on 1634 South 18th Avenue, were pronounced dead at the scene at 1:49 p.m. Saturday, according to the medical examiner’s office.

"When officers responded to a call of suspicious activity at the home they were allowed inside by a 17-year-old relative of the victims who had called police, Maywood Police Chief Elijah Willis said.

"`Police see a female and a male unresponsive inside the house,` Willis said. `The victims were apparently bleeding from some parts of the body.`

"`Unfortunately both individuals were dead on the scene,` Willis said.

"Firefighters responded there about 1:30 p.m. for a shooting, said Maywood Fire Capt. Sonya Thompson.

"Willis declined to define the relationship of the two people.

"`The community is not at danger,` Willis said."

Source: Chicago Tribune...

Mother And Son Found Dead In Home

"BOLINGBROOK, IL — Police believe a 37-year-old man fatally shot his mother in a southwest suburban Bolingbrook home Friday before turning the gun on himself.

"About 5:45 p.m. Friday, police made forced entry to a home on 133 Lakeshore Drive while investigating suspicious circumstances, according to Bolingbrook Police Department Lieutenant Mike Rompa.

"A 69-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds, authorities said.

"Alicia R. Coronel and Anthony E. Rataiczyk were pronounced dead on the scene, according to the Will County coroner's office.

"A preliminary investigation suggests Rataiczyk was the shooter in an apparent murder/suicide, according to Rompa. He is believed to be the only offender, Rompa said."

Source: Chicago Tribune...

Suspected Killer Botches Suicide During SWAT Standoff

"PEORIA, IL — The abduction of a woman by her estranged husband early Monday reached a protracted conclusion Tuesday with the discovery of her body and an ensuing standoff with her alleged killer.

"Phouvone Sophanavong, 45, held police at bay with a gun for more than nine hours in his home at 703 NE Monroe St. that his family apparently has owned for decades. The same residence had been searched Monday night by authorities trying to sort out the disappearance of his wife, Laongdao Phangthong.

"About 9:25 p.m. Tuesday, a police operation that appeared long-stagnant to outside observers burst with a flurry of activity after Sophanavong shot himself in the chest during the course of negotiations with police.

"`He made a decision to potentially end his own life,` Peoria police Chief Steve Settingsgaard said minutes after Sophanavong was rushed from the scene by ambulance.

"The 28-year-old Laotian woman’s body was found about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in the north parking deck at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. Someone arriving at the hospital recognized her vehicle as one police had been seeking, and hospital security found her body inside.

"Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll said Phangthong’s apparent cause of death was at least one gunshot wound. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday."

From pjstar.com....