Zion woman slain after argument

A Zion woman was stabbed to death in the early morning hours Thursday after a drug and alcohol-fueled argument with her boyfriend, police said.

Nichelle McNeal, 43, was pronounced dead at 3:50 a.m. Thursday at Vista Medical Center East from stab wounds to her upper torso, Lake County Coroner Richard Keller said.

McNeal was at a friend's home on the 2400 block of Elim Avenue in Zion with her boyfriend and another person when she was stabbed during an argument that involved narcotics and alcohol, said Zion Chief of Police Wayne Brooks.

Police have McNeal's boyfriend in custody and expect to file charges against him later this evening, Brooks said.

Police said the third person at the residence during the argument witnessed the stabbing and has cooperated with the investigation. There are no other suspects in the case, Brooks said.

The suspect's name is being withheld as of 4:15 p.m., but police said they will release further information Friday morning.