Police combing nation for husband in Villa Park murder
A nationwide manhunt continued late Thursday for a Downers Grove man whom authorities identified as a suspect in his pregnant wife's fatal stabbing in Villa Park.
Kristine Gilford, 35, died Wednesday after suffering multiple stab wounds in a violent attack witnessed by her toddler daughter. Gilford was five months pregnant.
Police said they still are searching for the slain woman's husband, Eric, a 31-year-old Navy recruiter whom Kristine married in February. Officers located his abandoned black 2008 Dodge Charger about 9 a.m. Thursday in downtown Fargo, N.D.
Gilford remains on the lam, and DuPage State's Attorney Joseph Birkett identified him as a "suspect" in his wife's violent death.
Fargo police discovered Gilford's car after employees of an architectural firm noted a suspicious SUV in their parking lot, said Capt. Tod Dahle. He said the windows were down and the keys still were in the ignition. No weapon was found.
Dahle said he was unaware of any connection Eric Gilford may have to Fargo. Gilford's photo was circulated to North Dakota media, while police canvassed airports, bus and train stations.
"Our investigation in this is really just doing what we can to support authorities in Illinois and to get the word out that he may still be in the area," Dahle said. "We're trying to generate any leads we can to point us in the right direction."
Kristine Gilford was attacked about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday while staying at her ex-boyfriend's apartment on the 300 block of North Ardmore Avenue in Villa Park. She died later at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove.
Neighbors said they witnessed the aftermath of the attack. They said the woman's 3-year-old daughter, whom she had with her ex-boyfriend, was in the hallway.
"Her little girl was running outside covered full of blood," neighbor Lisa Wood said.
The child, however, was not physically injured, authorities said.
"She said she saw her mommy get stabbed," said Deray Miller, another witness. "The lady was laying there, covered in blood and yelling for help. She was having trouble breathing."
Eric Gilford grew up in the Northwest suburbs. He does not have a violent criminal history. Police urged anyone with information to call them at (630) 834-7447.
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<li><a href="/story/?id=383702">Pregnant woman fatally stabbed in Villa Park <span class="date">[05/26/10]</span></a></li>
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