Man, 81, Fatally Shot Wife In Bed During Argument: State's Attorney

LOMBARD, IL —An 81-year-old Lombard man has been charged with murder in the shooting death of his wife, according to prosecutors, who say he fatally shot wife Helen Witter during the early morning hours Friday.

According to prosecutors, Charles Witter called 911 just after 12:30 a.m. Jan. 17, requesting police assistance and saying he had just shot his wife.

When officers arrived at the home in the 500 block of North Clarendon Avenue, Witter met officers at the door and was taken into custody, officials said. Officers searching the house then found Helen Witter unconscious, lying on her back with her head on a pillow. Prosecutors say Helen Witter had a significant injury to the right side of her head, and there was blood on the pillow and on the bedding.

She was taken to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 1:17 a.m., prosecutors said.

According to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, Witter and his wife were in bed when they began arguing. Prosecutors allege that during the argument, Charles Witter retrieved a gun from a drawer in his nightstand and shot Helen once before calling 911.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin called the killing a tragedy, saying in a statement, "I extend my sincere condolences to the entire Witter family and their friends as they cope with this heartbreaking loss." He thanked Lombard police and Assistant State’s Attorneys Matthew Dambach and Grace Barsanti for their work on the case.

Village of Lombard officials on Friday said police responded to the home after receiving a call about a "domestic situation." Residents were advised to avoid the area.

Around 11:40 a.m. Friday, village officials shared an update notifying residents that a person had been taken into custody and a death investigation was underway.

“It’s super surprising because they have always just been such a quiet, friendly couple," neighbor Chris Kovacs told WGN. "You hear it a lot, but it’s the people that you least expect something like this to happen to."

Witter was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, according to court records. On Saturday, Judge Kishori Tank granted prosecutors' request to deny pretrial release for Witter.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 10 in front of Judge Mia McPherson.