Belizean-American Ian A. Alamilla, 33, of Westmont, Illinois, U.S.A. (a suburb of the City of Chicago), has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder for allegedly strangling his wife Tara, 34, at their home on Saturday, April 10.
Alamilla has been remanded on bail of $2 million after a court appearance on Monday, and faces a preliminary hearing on May 10.
News sources in the Chicago area say that Ian and Tara, who were married in 2002 and have three children – ages 2, 5, and 11, were having an argument in their home earlier on Saturday while their children slept.
Chicago police say that argument may have resulted in Tara being strangled in the basement of the home. Ian allegedly went to police in Chicago later on in the day and asked them to check on her.
Police responding to the scene found Tara lying apparently unresponsive in the basement, with bruises to her throat. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birket said in a press release: “Tragically, Tara’s life was taken on the birthday of her youngest child. …The heartbreaking, senseless loss of life in this case is compounded because it involves three young children who have lost their mother and now see their father accused of taking her life.”
Tara had filed for divorce from Ian on March 25, 2010, and he had moved out of the house prior to their last fatal encounter.
Ian Alamilla faces a sentence of 20 to 60 years in prison if convicted.