Suspect arrested, charged with murder in Wheeling man’s July 4 slaying

A south suburban man faces a first-degree murder charge stemming from the July 4 death of a Wheeling man at his home, police said.

Jalen Upshaw of Dixmoor surrendered at the Wheeling Police Department with his attorney Monday and is now scheduled to appear before a judge Tuesday at the Cook County courthouse in Rolling Meadows, officials said.

Upshaw is charged in connection with the death of 55-year-old Christopher M. Behnke in what police at the time described as a “domestic-related incident.”

Upshaw is the previously unnamed person who was arrested immediately after Behnke’s death, but released about two days later without charges, police confirmed Monday.

According to police, officers went to the home in the 1100 block of Wildberry Court at about 11:50 p.m. July 4 because of a report of a person not breathing and found Behnke suffering from injuries.

Behnke was treated by Wheeling Fire Department personnel at the home then taken to Endeavor Health Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview, where he was pronounced dead.

The Cook County medical examiner’s office later determined Behnke died of asphyxia due to assault and the death was a homicide, police said Monday.

Police said Monday that detectives and forensic technicians worked extensively to examine the circumstances surrounding Behnke's death and develop evidence in support of the investigation.

“Throughout the investigation, Wheeling Police Department detectives remained in close communication with Behnke's family, providing updates and support as the investigation progressed,” police said in a statement Monday night. “We appreciate the family's patience and trust throughout this process and recognize that today's development cannot lessen the loss they have experienced.”

Police did not disclose a suspected motive for the killing Monday, or indicate how Behnke and Upshaw knew one another.

ckeeshan@dailyherald.com