Police: Arrest made in domestic-related killing in Wheeling

One person remained in custody Monday following a deadly domestic confrontation in Wheeling, police said.

No charges had been filed as of Monday afternoon. The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified the deceased as Christopher M. Behnke, 55.

Wheeling police were called to a townhouse on the 1100 block of Wildberry Court about 11:50 p.m. Saturday because someone there wasn’t breathing, according to a news release.

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

Wheeling police and the medical examiner’s office are investigating. An autopsy was conducted Sunday, but neither the cause nor manner of Behnke’s death was disclosed.

Harsha Patlolla and his family live in the building where Behnke resided. Patlolla said he and his wife were watching television late Saturday night when they saw an ambulance outside their building. Activity from more first responders followed, he said.

Patlolla called the violence “very shocking.” The neighborhood is quiet, with well-cared-for lawns, tall trees and children who on Monday gleefully rode bicycles and scooters on the streets.

Crime is “never” a problem, Patlolla said.

“We never expected anything like this in this area,” he said.

Behnke already lived in the building when the Patlollas moved in about three years ago. Behnke lived with two other people, Patlolla said. He didn’t know them well.

Behnke kept to himself but regularly greeted Patlolla’s kids with smiles and hellos. He was, Patlolla said, a good person.

Anyone with information can call Wheeling police at (847) 459-2690.