A Belizean man who had been living in the USA with his American wife today pleaded guilty to first degree murder, after having admitted that he strangled her to death last April in their Westmont, Chicago, home, following a quarrel. He faces up to 50 years in prison.
According to DuPage County State’s Attorney, Robert B. Berlin, Ian Alamilla, 35, entered a blind plea of guilty, admitting to the April 10, 2010, murder of his wife, Tara Alamilla, 34 at the time of her killing.
“This morning, Ian Alamilla admitted that he alone is responsible for the brutal murder of his wife Tara,” Berlin said. “This is a tragic situation, compounded by the fact that it involves three young children who have lost their mother and will now lose their father to the Illinois Department of Corrections for her murder.”
First degree murder carries a minimum sentence of 20 years to life in the Illinois prison.
“In exchange for his guilty plea, the State has agreed to a sentencing recommendation of no more than fifty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections,” said Berlin.
The month prior, Tara had filed for divorce, but Ian Alamilla used to visit on weekends. News reports indicate that he was there on April 10 to watch TV and help plan a birthday party for their youngest child, whose birthday was that same day.
However, the attorney said, the couple had a quarrel, although no one has specified the reason for the dispute.
“The altercation turned physical and ended with Alamilla strangling his wife to death. Alamilla then fled the scene,” said Berlin’s release.
Their three children, ages 5, 6 and 11, were reportedly asleep at the time and were not harmed.
Alamilla’s brother, who he had reportedly called in Belize, dissuaded him from killing himself and advised him to turn himself into police.
Hours after the murder, Alamilla surrendered to Chicago police, who contacted the Westmont Police Department.
Westmont officers found Tara deceased inside the basement bedroom and the couple’s children were sleeping in their beds.
Alamilla has yet to receive his sentence. He is due to return to court on December 6 for the pre-sentencing report, and sentencing is to be deliberated on December 22.
The DuPage County State Attorney’s office had reported on April 12, 2010, that DuPage Judge Liam Brennan had set Alamilla’s bond at $2 million.
According to her obituary published in the Chicago Tribune, Tara Michelle Feldman Alamilla was the mother of Travis, Leo and Maya Alamilla.
She was the daughter of Joyci and Alan Feldman, who is now raising the children.
Tara was Brookfield Zoo’s school program coordinator, and she held a Master’s degree in education.
She reportedly met Ian, who reportedly was a scuba instructor, while on vacation in Belize. They had been married since 2002, and he later became a US citizen.