Illinois Man Faces Murder Charge for Allegedly Fatally Beating Woman
An Illinois man has been charged with murder after allegedly beating a woman to death, according to court records. Amare K. Wilson, 27, of Crete, Illinois, was also charged with aggravated battery in relation to the incident. The victim, identified as Julie Ashdown, passed away sometime between the evening of November 10 and the early morning hours of November 11. The circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear.
Wilson is currently in custody and is being held without bail. Details about Ashdown’s age and address have not been immediately disclosed. The Lake County Coroner’s Office has yet to provide additional information regarding her death. However, according to court records, her passing was ruled a homicide resulting from blunt force trauma to her face and chest. She suffered a broken sternum and significant internal injuries.
Reports suggest that Wilson transported Ashdown to Franciscan Health Dyer in the early hours of November 11, driving her in his truck and placing her in the trailer bed. When they arrived at the hospital, a paramedic noticed that Ashdown had blood on her and subsequently informed the police. Hospital staff also noticed that Wilson had blood on his jacket, and the victim appeared to have been beaten in the face.
Upon examination, Ashdown was found to have no pulse and was unresponsive. Efforts to revive her were unsuccessful. Medical personnel determined that she had recently passed away, with her core body temperature still warm while her arms and legs were cold.
Wilson provided conflicting statements to the investigators. He claimed that he was hitting Ashdown in the face in an attempt to wake her up. According to him, Ashdown was his girlfriend, although he noted that they were not legally married. They had been living together in a trailer in University Park since April. Police records indicate that Ashdown had coughed up blood earlier that night and had lost consciousness earlier in the day.
Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators showed Wilson and Ashdown walking together around 10:30 p.m. on November 10. Wilson’s location was not identified again until 3 a.m. the following day. Wilson told authorities that he had taken a nap once Ashdown became unresponsive, attributing her condition to her failure to listen to him.
Police discovered a significant amount of blood in the trailer, supporting the allegations made against Wilson. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to gather more evidence to determine the exact circumstances surrounding Ashdown’s tragic death.
This case highlights the importance of law enforcement’s efforts in investigating incidents of violence and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. The judicial process will play a crucial role in unraveling the truth and ensuring justice for the victim and her loved ones.
