Palatine man kills wife, attempts suicide, police say

Palatine police now say the 69-year-old Palatine woman found dead Wednesday night was stabbed by her husband who then tried to commit suicide.

Janet Rumlow was found dead in her bedroom at her house on the 1000 block of Grissom Drive at about 10:15 p.m., police said. Her husband, Albert Rumlow, 73, was found with self-inflicted stab wounds, including cuts to his wrists, police added. Paramedics took him to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge where he underwent surgery, police said. He's expected to survive, police added.

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office has been working with investigators, but charges have yet to be filed.

Albert Rumlow called 911 from the Grissom Drive home, police said. The stabbings happened after 8 p.m. while Janet Rumlow was preparing to go to sleep, police said.

There was no evidence of a quarrel or argument before the stabbings, police said. Janet Rumlow resisted her husband during the attack and begged him to stop, police also said. Albert Rumlow told investigators he wanted "to kill his wife before he killed himself so she wouldn't be left alone," according to a police statement.

Investigators found several knives and a hammer in the bedroom, which police say were used to kill Janet Rumlow.

Yellow police tape completely surrounded the home on the quiet suburban street. A Major Crimes Task Force truck and a police car were parked outside the home about noon Thursday.

Palatine police are being assisted in the investigation by the Cook County Major Case Assistance Team.

• Daily Herald staff writer Sue Ter Maat contributed to this report.