Bartlett Man Pleads Guilty To Strangling Wife

DUPAGE COUNTY, IL — DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin announced Monday that 60-year-old Carlo Madonia, of Bartlett, who is accused of strangling his wife, Nancy, to death, has entered a blind plea of guilty to one count of second degree murder, according to a release from DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. Madonia was in court Monday morning where officials said he entered his plea in front of Judge Brian Telander. Monday's court appearance came almost two years after Madonia's bond was set at $3 million with 10% to apply on June 2, 2017, and officials said he's since been held in custody at the DuPage County Jail.

Bartlett police officers responded on May 31, 2017 to a call of a medical emergency or possible death at the couple's home in the 200 block of Lido Trail. According to a release, officers arrived and found Madonia standing in the kitchen with blood on his hands, and took him into custody.

During a search of the home, officers found Nancy’s body upstairs, and she was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a release. Officials said a murder investigation revealed that at some point during that day, the defendant and his wife got into a verbal argument, which turned violent and ended with Madonia strangling Nancy to death.

In 2017, prosecutors said the argument stemmed from Nancy's concern that her husband, who recently had a heart attack, was returning to work too soon.

Related: Husband Claims 'Nagging' Lead Him to Kill Wife: Prosecutors

“Nearly two years ago, an argument between Mr. Madonia and his wife Nancy took a tragic turn resulting in Carlo Madonia strangling Nancy to death,” Berlin said, in a Monday release from DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. “This morning, Mr. Madonia accepted responsibility for the murder of his wife. This is an extremely sad case and it is my hope that Nancy’s surviving family and friends may begin to find some measure of closure knowing that the man responsible for her death has taken responsibility. I would like to thank the Bartlett Police Department and the Major Crimes Task Force for their solid work on this case. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Jenifer Lindt and Bethany Jackson for their efforts in preparing a strong case against Mr. Madonia which ultimately led to today’s guilty plea.”

According to a release, Madonia’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 4 for return of the Pre-sentence Report, and his sentencing is scheduled for June 19.