No bail for man charged in girlfriend's fatal stabbing

A 28-year-old man accused of fatally stabbing his girlfriend in her Woodridge apartment was denied bail Wednesday, authorities said.

Launden Luckett, whose last known address was in Chicago, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder after authorities said he stabbed Cecily Dickey multiple times and choked her following an argument early Oct. 17.

The night before, Dickey drove to Chicago, picked up Luckett and brought him back to her apartment, authorities said. About 3 a.m. the next morning, a verbal argument between the couple turned physical, and Dickey ran to the bathroom to try escape Luckett, who chased after her and stabbed her in the stomach, authorities said.

Dickey ran out of the bathroom and then Luckett grabbed her, knocked her to the floor, continued to stab her and choked her, authorities said. Luckett stole Dickey's cellular phone, debit card and car and fled the apartment, authorities said.

Woodrige police found her body during a well-being check Oct. 19. An autopsy determined she had died from multiple stab wounds.

On Tuesday, a DuPage County judge issued a warrant for Luckett's arrest, authorities said. Several days after the killing, Luckett was arrested by Cook County authorities on unrelated charges. He has been in custody since and was taken to DuPage County Tuesday afternoon.

"Nearly two months ago, Cecily Dickey's life came to a violent, brutal end," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a written statement. "While nothing can be done to bring Cecily back to those who loved her, the tremendous work of the Woodridge Police Department and the Felony Investigative Assistance Team will allow us to bring a strong prosecution against the man who allegedly took her life."

Luckett is due back in DuPage County court Jan. 7. If convicted, he could face natural life in prison if it is found that the slaying was "exceptionally brutal or heinous."

In two Cook County cases, Luckett is charged with a sex offender registry violation and aggravated fleeing, according to the sheriff's office.