Accused Murderer Pleads Guilty in Wife's Stabbing Death

An Addison man has entered a blind plea of guilty to two counts of first degree murder and attempted first degree murder in the 2013 stabbing death of his wife.

Kurtis Worley, 35 of the 900 block of N. Craig Place, will make his next court appearance Feb. 25, 2016, for return of the pre-sentence report, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.

An investigation of the murder of Worley’s wife, Martha Worley, led law enforcement to believe Kurtis Worley attacked Martha the morning of July 26, 2013, with two knives while she slept in their bedroom.

Prosecutors say Kurtis Worley stabbed his wife multiple times in the head and face, and he also stabbed one of their step sons in the neck when he came into the room after hearing his mother’s cries for help.

Addison police responding to a 911 call around 3 a.m. that morning found Martha Worley on the bed. Police reported she had been beaten around her head and face and had wounds on her head.

Police found Kurtis Worley on the bedroom floor with cuts on his wrists and neck, which were later found to be self-inflicted. Martha Worley was taken to Loyola, where she died around 5 p.m. of her injuries.

Kurtis Worley was also taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries. He has recovered and has been in custody since.

The couple’s son survived the knife attack.

“This morning, Kurtis Worley took responsibility for the murder of his wife and brutal attack of his step son,” said DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin in a statement. “This has been a very disturbing case for all those involved. My thoughts and prayers go out to Martha’s surviving family and friends. Her tragic death has been a jolt to those who knew her and it is my sincerest hope that today’s proceedings will in some way help them move on from this horrible chapter in their lives.”

Photo courtesy of the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office.