Killer Dads: Fathers who ended their children's lives in situations involving child custody, visitation, and/or child support
ILLINOIS
Alexander County
Father: ELVIS HABIBOVIC
Victim(s): Logan Habibovic (1 year)
Date of Death: June 2015
Chronically unemployed/underemployed father with history of unspecified "domestic disturbances" awarded joint custody, despite mother's efforts to secure full custody. Abducts son and kills him in murder-suicide in Missouri.
Cook County
Father: ANDRE FORD
Victim(s): Gizzell Ford (8 years)
Date of Death: July 2013
Custodial dad, paternal grandmother charged with murder in torture killing of daughter. Mother had been trying to regain custody. In July 2014, it was reported that mother was suing CPS for ignoring signs that the girl was being abused. In August 2014, father died in police custody of a reported heart attack while awaiting trial.
Father: JUAN EGUEZ-MEDRANO
Victim(s): Karla Eguez (5 years), mother Kelly Coca
Date of Death: August 2013
Father allegedly shot to death daughter, her mother after month-long custody/visitation state in Florida. Father initially in critical condition from failed suicide attempt, but later died.
Father: JAMES LARRY
Victim(s): Jahad Larry (7 months), Kalesh Larry (3 years), Keyshai Fields (16 years), Tawana Thompson Larry (19 years)
Date of Death: April 2010
Father with extensive criminal background charged in the murder of infant son, wife, two nieces. Had been awarded joint custody of infant through paternity action one week prior to killings. In May 2011, sentenced to life in prison with no parole.
Father: JONATHAN ORTIZ
Victim(s): Daughter (4 months)
Date of Death: June 2012
Father with "approved visitation" charged with murder in daughter's death. As of November 2014, there are no media updates on this case.
Father: JEREMIAH THOMPSON
Victim(s): Jahariah Patterson (2 years)
Date of Death: March 2014
Father with history of child abuse allegations charged with 1st-degree murder. Assumed custody after mother lost housing.
Father: LARRY D. WOOD
Victim(s): Gloria Wood (16 years)
Date of Death: June 2012
Father charged in daughter's beating death which occurred during weekend visitation. He is being held for trial in lieu of $2 million bond. No media update as of November 2014.
DuPage County
Father: RICHARD LYONS
Victim(s): Mya (9 years)
Date of Death: July 2008
In January 2011, father finally arrested and charged in stabbing death of daughter. Had been staying with father for summer visitation. Father finally convicted of daughter's stabbing death in April 2014.
Kane County
Father: ANTONY MANGIAMELE
Victim(s): Riley (2 years)
Date of Death: February 2005
Father killed son in murder-suicide during unsupervised visitation ordered by Judge William Weir. According to October 2010 article, the judge resigned on the 4th anniversary of the boy’s murder.
Kendall County
Father: JOSEPH SCHMITT
Victim(s): Wyland Schmitt (4 years)
Date of Death: October 2012
Father killed son in murder-suicide. Parents had separated. Mother had moved out, filed for divorce. Not clear if boy continued to live with father or whether he had frequent visitation. Police visit at request of mother who had asked for wellness check.
McClean County
*Father: MICHAEL CONNELLY
Victim(s): Duncan Connelly (6 years) and Jack Connelly (4 years)
Date of Death: March 2009
Father killed sons in murder-suicide during court-ordered visitation. Mother had extensive involvement with the courts trying to prevent contact with father.
Father: JEFF MEECE
Victim(s): Erika Meese (14 months)
Date of Death: August 2009
In September 2010, father found unfit to stand trial for murder, though he had been granted twice weekly visitation. Daughter beaten to death with a baseball bat.
Will County
Father: CHIDI ESI
Victim(s): Nathan Esi (19 months)
Date of Death: October 2009
Father accused of drowning son during visitation. In May 2011, found not guilty by reason of insanity.
Winnebago County
Father: GLEN FLEENER
Victim(s): Kier Fleener (8 years)
Date of Death: MAY 2016
Father kills son in murder-suicide during what appears to be out-of-town visitation/custody time.