An illegal immigrant accused of brutally murdering his wife just two weeks after crossing the U.S. border illegally has shocked authorities in Illinois. Baltazar Perez-Estrada walked into the Carol Stream Police Department on April 1, 2024, confessing to stabbing his wife, Maricela Simon Franco, 26, in front of their two children.
“After Mr. Perez-Estrada’s admission, authorities swiftly took him into custody and initiated an investigation,” stated DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin. “During our inquiry, we learned that Perez-Estrada had unlawfully entered the U.S. from Mexico.”
Baltazar Perez-Estrada (33) entered the US illegally 2 weeks ago. DHS let him in.
He was just arrested in Chicago for kiIIing/beheading his wife in front of his kids. pic.twitter.com/Vy8m5xdwBo
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) April 4, 2024
According to prosecutors, the tragic incident unfolded around 10 p.m. following a verbal altercation between the couple at their apartment, Fox reports. The confrontation escalated into physical violence, with Perez-Estrada allegedly stabbing Franco multiple times in her head, neck, body, and hands, nearly decapitating her.
“The loss of Maricela is heartbreaking, and our deepest sympathies go out to her family and friends,” Chief of Police Don Cummings remarked. “This heinous act not only took a life but also deprived two young children of their mother.”
In a solemn statement, Berlin emphasized the pervasive issue of domestic violence and pledged to pursue justice for Franco. ”
“The extremely violent end to a young mother’s life is something that should touch us all. Domestic violence continues to be a scourge on society, claiming more than ten million victims a year in some form or fashion. In this case, the sad reality is, Maricela’s life has been reduced to a statistic of domestic violence due to the alleged actions of her husband, Baltazar Perez-Estrada. This brutal, senseless act of violence alleged against Mr. Perez-Estrada will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Berlin said.
The court, responding to the severity of the crime, granted the state’s request to detain Perez-Estrada pre-trial. He faces five counts of first-degree murder and is scheduled to appear in court on April 25.
The devastating incident has reignited discussions surrounding border security and the consequences of illegal immigration, prompting calls for stricter enforcement measures.
“Cases like these underscore the urgent need to address the challenges posed by illegal immigration,” remarked a spokesperson for the Carol Stream Police Department. “Ensuring the safety and security of our communities remains a top priority.”
