Cops still seeking man who reported estranged wife's death

Libertyville police are still looking for a man believed to be the estranged husband of a woman who was found dead in her Libertyville home Thursday morning.

Janine Wiltjer, 47, of the 100 block of Appley Avenue, died from an opiate overdose injected into her system, Lake County Coroner Richard Keller said.

Keller said it is still unclear what drug was injected into the woman and that more information will be known after the autopsy is completed this morning.

"It's likely heroin," Keller said, "but we haven't fully categorized it at this time."

The man, who identified himself as the husband of Wiltjer, wasn't around when Libertyville police discovered the woman at about 6:15 a.m. Thursday, Deputy Police Chief Bob Koval said.

He added there are still no charges against the man, but the police would still like to talk to him.

"As of right now, it's a drug overdose, and obviously we want to talk to the husband to get more information," Koval said.

Police received the phone tip from the caller who reported Wiltjer was dead and identified himself as her husband. Authorities said the man told dispatchers he wasn't at the house when he called and hasn't been heard from since.

Officers went to the home and discovered Wiltjer's body. Koval said police didn't recover any needles or syringes.

Investigators learned the man used Wiltjer's cellular telephone when he called for help, Koval said. Dispatchers tried to keep him on the phone, but he hung up before police arrived at the home.

Police have been unable to reach the caller on Wiltjer's cell phone since receiving the tip, Koval said.

Koval said the lower level of a house was rented to Wiltjer as an apartment. He said she was still married, but her estranged husband lived with her only periodically.

Investigators have been checking places where the man is known to frequent, Koval said. Libertyville police had yet to receive any tips on the man's whereabouts as of Thursday night, he added.