McHenry County man charged with sex assault, murder

A 39-year-old Wonder Lake man is behind bars, facing charges he sexually assaulted and murdered a woman he had been dating after meeting over the Internet, McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren said today.

Thomas A. Brown, of the 2900 block of Michael Street, was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated criminal sexual assault stemming from the early morning incident at the residence, sheriff's police said.

Wonder Lake rescue crews called to the home by Brown about 6 a.m. found Vitriza Wedward, 33, of West Allis, Wis., unresponsive with numerous bruises on her body, Nygren said.

Her injuries were consistent with a beating, the sheriff said, and preliminary autopsy reports indicate she died as a result of blunt force trauma. There is no indication a weapon was used, Nygren said.

Wedward was taken to Centegra Hospital in McHenry, where she was pronounced dead.

Brown, Nygren said, was later interviewed by sheriff's detectives. Based on the interview, and physical evidence recovered, he was arrested, the sheriff said.

Wedward and Brown began dating in March after meeting online. It appears they got into a dispute sometime about midnight Tuesday, Nygren said, leading to the violence.

Brown was transported after his arrest to the McHenry County jail, where he will remain overnight pending a bond hearing Wednesday morning.