Mom Who Killed Disabled Daughter Commits Suicide: Sister

SCHAUMBURG, IL — The Schaumburg mother ordered back to jail Monday to continue serving her sentence for killing her developmentally disabled daugther in 2015 was found dead in her home over the weekend, according to the Daily Herald. Schaumburg police discovered the body of Bonnie Liltz, 57, on Saturday night during a well-being check. Her sister told ABC 7 Chicago Liltz committed suicide by taking an overdose of pills.

The Cook County medical examiner's office told the Herald the cause of Liltz's death had not been determined and police were conducting a death investigation.

According to police, one of Liltz's relatives called the department at about 6:05 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, after being unable to contact her, the Herald reports. Officers went to Liltz's home in the 1100 block of Springinsguth Road, and the medical examiner's office pronounced her dead at 6:26 p.m., the report added.

Police told the Herald that family members last saw Liltz alive Friday night. Liltz's mother said her daughter told her she was going to lunch with a friend and seeing a movie Saturday.

Sue Liltz told ABC 7 her sister left suicide notes for family members in which she wrote about her inability to face a return to prison.

"She said she loved us very much and that she's sorry, that she just could not go back to that place," Sue Liltz said.

Last week, a Cook County judge ordered Liltz to return to jail Monday to serve out her four-year sentence. As part of a deal with prosecutors last year, she pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of her daughter, Courtney, who suffered from cerebal palsy. Prosecutors accused Liltz of feeding her 28-year-old daughter a lethal dose of medication through the victim's feeding tube before trying to take her own life.

RELATED: Mom Who Killed Disabled Daughter Must Return To Prison

Liltz originally had pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the case before changing it in her deal with prosecutors, who recommended a sentence of four years' probation. But Judge Joel Greenblatt handed down the stiffer penalty of prison time.

Before her sentencing, Liltz's supporters described her as a loving mother overwhelmed by the 24-hour care her daughter required. Liltz also suffered from her own health issues as a two-time cancer survivor with small bowel difficulties stemming from ovarian cancer.

More Patch Coverage:

• Is Probation Enough For Mom Who Fed Disabled Daughter Lethal Pills?
• Mom Who Fed Disabled Daughter Lethal Pills Sentenced To 4 Years In Prison
• Bonnie Liltz Hospitalized For Possible Infection
• Mom Who Killed Disabled Daughter Granted Bail During Appeal
• State Supreme Court Refuses To Hear Appeal; Liltz Must Serve 4-Year Sentence

Those health problems became acute once Liltz began serving her prison term. In May of 2016, an infection, dehydration and other complications sent her to the hospital, and her weight dropped to 84 pounds.

Liltz's health and the Illinois Department of Corrections's inability to properly manage her medical issues became the basis for appealing her jail sentence. Her lawyer, Thomas Glasgow, contended Liltz would not survive in prison because she would not be able to receive the care she needed. But in October, the Illinois Supreme Court refused to hear Liltz's appeal, meaning the original four-year sentence would stand.

"I'm just beside myself," Glasgow told the Herald on Sunday. "This is not the way I wanted this to end. I wanted it to be a happy ending for everybody, and unfortunately, it is a tragedy all around."

Despite the Supreme Court refusing to hear Liltz's appeal, Glasgow still had options remaining to have the sentence reduced. In January, her case would've gone before the Prisoner Review Board, and he also had planned to ask Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner to grant her clemency.

Liltz had been free on an appeallate bond since August 2016 while her appeal was being reviewed and had spent only 73 days in prison. Although her four-year sentence was harsher than probation, the term was less than the 14-year maximum she could have received.

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More via the Daily Herald and ABC 7 Chicago

Bonnie Liltz, 57 (Photo via Illinois Department of Corrections)