2 held in death of Brookfield woman

[crimeshot1]

2 held in death of Brookfield woman

June 15, 2010 1:31 PM | UPDATED STORY




Brookfield police investigating the stabbing death of a 65-year-old woman have two people in custody -- a 30-year-old Brookfield man and a 23-year-old woman from Arlington Heights -- but no charges have been filed.


The two were arrested Monday night at the Pink Palace Motel, 7050 W. Archer Ave. in Chicago, after police found the slain Marilyn Fay's 2002 Jeep Cherokee about two blocks away in the 5300 block of South Nottingham Avenue, according to a statement from Brookfield police.


Fay, a retired Chicago school teacher, was found stabbed multiple times in her home on the 3300 block of Arthur Avenue in the western suburb, authorities said. The Cook County medical examiner's office, following an autopsy today, ruled her death a homicide and determined that she died from stab wounds and "asphyxia due to assault."


Brookfield police met with representatives of the Cook County state's attorney's office Monday night, but no charges had been filed as of this afternoon.


Neighbors said Fay taught in the Chicago Public Schools for 30 years. She retired from Leif Ericson Elementary School about three years ago and worked part time at the Brookfield Library.


Fay took in a young man she met at the library, and he stayed with her for about a year doing work around her house until she asked him to leave several months ago because the situation wasn't working out, neighbors said.


Before coming to live with Fay, the man had been kicked out of his parents' home and didn't have anywhere to live, they said, adding that they believed he had anger-management problems. Even though he didn't live with Fay anymore, he still came around to do odd jobs such as painting the awnings on her home and changing the oil on her car, neighbors said.


It was not immediately known if the man had any connection with Fay's death.


On Fay's block today, neighbors described her as a kind woman who often helped others.


"If she could help you, she would," said Charlotte Field, 65, as she took Fay's two dogs and two cats from Fay's white frame house.


Next-door neighbor Mary Berkowicz said Fay felt sorry for the young man she met at the library.


"This woman would take in strays, and that's what he was," Berkowicz said. Fay worked at the library to be closer to kids and books, she added.


The library was closed today. A sign on the door said it was closed for "employee counseling."


Fay is survived by a daughter who lives in Texas, neighbors said.

-- Angie Leventis-Lourgos, Andrew L. Wang, Serena Maria Daniels and WGN-TV


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