Arlington Heights woman charged in June slaying

An Arlington Heights woman, originally released from police custody almost six months ago, has been charged with the murder of a retired Chicago Public Schools teacher in Brookfield.

Bonnie Shelesny, 24, of the 1300 block of Ridge Avenue, was arrested about 10 a.m. on Thursday without incident outside the retail business where she worked in Palatine, Brookfield police Lt. Edward Petrak said.

She faces one count of first-degree murder in the June 14 slaying of 65-year-old Marilyn Fay. Fay was found stabbed and suffocated inside her Brookfield home on the 3300 block of Arthur Avenue after police conducted a well-being check.

Two days later, on June 16, authorities located Shelesny and her boyfriend, Steven Kellmann, at a motel on Chicago's South Side, along with Fay's SUV in the motel parking lot.

The 31-year-old Kellmann was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated robbery, but Shelesny was released without charges.

Authorities said Kellmann was living in Fay's home when she was killed, and both he and Shelesny helped the retired teachers Fay with odd jobs.

Kellmann, who was out on bond on the charge of aggravated driving on a suspended license at the time of Fay's murder, is being held on a $2 million bond.

Shelesny also is charged with residential burglary and possession of a controlled substance. She's being held without bond, pending a Dec. 15 court date in the Cook County circuit court's Maywood branch, police said.

Shelesny attended Thomas Middle School in Arlington Heights. Venetia Miles, spokeswoman for Northwest Suburban High School District 214, confirmed Shelesny graduated in January 2006 from Hersey High School, also in Arlington Heights.