A 35-year-old Illinois man has been charged with the murders of his parents in the home they all shared in Sycamore.
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reported that a family member requested a welfare check on Gary and Holly Schmidt, aged 60 and 59, on Tuesday morning. Officers discovered the couple deceased, apparently due to blunt force trauma, according to Shaw Local. Autopsies are scheduled for Wednesday.
The police initiated a search for the Schmidts’ son, Kevin Schmidt, who was subsequently found in Rockford, approximately 40 miles from the crime location, driving a vehicle missing from the residence. Investigators located him using license plate cameras.
He was initially held in Winnebago County and then brought back to DeKalb County.
“This is a tragic incident, and the Sheriff’s Office will work diligently to bring justice for the victims and their loved ones,” stated DeKalb County Sheriff Andy Sullivan. “We urge anyone with information to come forward and assist us in this investigation.”
Shaw Local reported that Holly Schmidt was a paraeducator at an elementary school, and Gary Schmidt worked in construction.
Kevin Schmidt faces four counts of first degree murder and is scheduled to make a court appearance on Wednesday.
