A man used a dumbbell and a knife to attack his ex-girlfriend, killing her inside her Illinois home, authorities said.
Christian B. Flores is now charged with first-degree murder in the death of Charity Geisel, 52, according to a Monday, August 31, news release from the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office. Flores is 54 years old and was homeless prior to his arrest, The Chicago Tribune reported.
Geisel’s body was discovered inside her home in Elgin the morning of Sunday, August 30, the office said. Elgin is located about a 40-mile drive northwest from Chicago.
She died of “blunt and sharp force injuries due to an assault,” according to preliminary findings from an autopsy performed the next day by Kane County Coroner Dr. Monica Silva, prosecutors said.
After Flores became a suspect during the Elgin Police Department’s investigation, he was apprehended Sunday evening in Indiana, according to authorities.
Flores was detained in Indiana and was awaiting extradition to Illinois to face charges in Geisel’s death, prosecutors said.
The Chesterton Police Department in Indiana helped Elgin officers investigate Flores, according to the state’s attorney’s office.
“I wish to extend my condolences to the family and friends of Charity,” Elgin Police Chief Ana Lalley said in a statement. “I also wish to thank the members of the Elgin Police Department for their professionalism and quick actions that led to the arrest of Mr. Flores.”
It’s unclear what led to the deadly attack against Geisel. Authorities have not specified potential motives.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether he retained legal counsel.
His first court appearance in Kane County has yet to be scheduled, according to prosecutors.
If someone is found guilty of first-degree murder in Illinois, they would face a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and up to life in prison, according to the non-profit Restore Justice.
“To charge someone with first-degree murder, an individual (1) intended to kill or do great bodily harm or knew that their actions would cause death; (2) knew that their actions created a strong probability of death or great bodily harm; or (3) were attempting or committing another felony crime,” the organization explains online.
The Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office said “the charges against Mr. Flores are not proof of guilt, and he is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”
