Aurora man sentenced to 44 years for stabbing girlfriend’s teen sister

An Aurora man pleaded guilty Wednesday to the 2022 stabbing assault of a 17-year-old girl in exchange for a 44-year prison term, authorities said.

Jose J. Gonzalez, 27, was originally charged with two counts of first-degree murder, four counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, one count of armed violence, one count of aggravated domestic battery, two counts of aggravated battery and one count of unlawful use of a weapon for the August 2022 attack. He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Wednesday in exchange for a 44-year prison term. State law requires Gonzalez to serve the full prison term, though he will be credited 496 days for the time he has served in the Kane County jail.

Authorities said Gonzalez sexually assaulted and then stabbed Lizbeth Muro, whose older sister was in a relationship with Gonzalez at the time of the attack.

According to authorities, Gonzalez, his girlfriend and her sister shared a residence with four other people in the 900 block of Lebanon Street in Aurora. Prosecutors said Gonzalez entered Muro’s bedroom the morning of Aug. 4, 2022, and a physical struggle followed. Gonzalez, who was on parole at the time, fatally stabbed Muro three times.

“Despite their grief, the victim’s family members have been a constant voice for her since this violent act was committed, and they have remained staunch advocates for her in the face of this terrible and needless loss,” Kane County First Assistant State’s Attorney Christine Bayer said. “I hope this resolution brings them some peace.”

In addition to his prison term, Gonzalez must register as a violent offender against youth in accordance with state law.