Hunted man charged with pregnant wife's murder in Villa Park

A $3 million arrest warrant was issued Friday for a U.S. Navy recruiter accused of killing his pregnant wife in Villa Park amid marital troubles.

Eric A. Gilford, 31, who may be heading for Canada, is wanted on charges alleging first-degree murder and intentional homicide of an unborn child.

Police have been hunting Gilford since his wife, Kristine, 35, was found clinging to life about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday after suffering multiple stab wounds.

The Downers Grove couple married in February and were expecting their first child together in October. She left Gilford in recent weeks, though, and had been staying in Villa Park with a boyfriend.

Her daughter, Gracie Mae, witnessed the violent attack on her 4th birthday.

"Physically, she's OK," Dennis Courtney said of his granddaughter. "Emotionally, she's having some difficulties, but we'll work with her to make sure she gets all the help she needs."

Officers located Eric Gilford's abandoned black 2008 Dodge Charger in an architectural firm parking lot early Thursday in downtown Fargo, N.D., prompting local authorities to make the trip there in search of clues to uncover his whereabouts.

They theorize Gilford may be trying to make it to Canada, and alerted the U.S. Border Patrol. DuPage State's Attorney Joseph Birkett approved charges Friday.

"I'm satisfied there's sufficient evidence," he said, declining to provide specifics.

Kristine Gilford grew up in Arlington Heights, later moving to Naperville in her high school years. Courtney said Kristine was a full-time mom whose daughter was her life.

Neighbors found Gracie Mae wandering outside the apartment on the 300 block of North Ardmore Avenue in Villa Park after Wednesday's attack as her badly injured mother struggled to breathe. Kristine Gilford was pronounced dead at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital.

Her family finalized funeral arrangements Friday.

"She was very outgoing and gregarious," Dennis Courtney said of his oldest child. "She had a captivating personality and was very much a people person."

He said the family met Eric Gilford earlier this year.

"This whole incident is 100 percent opposite of what we knew of him," said Courtney, who also suspects Eric Gilford is trying to make it to Canada. "We never saw any violence."

Visitation for Kristine Gilford will be 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home, 7319 W. Madison St., Forest Park. A service is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home chapel. Interment Arlington Cemetery. Instead of flowers, donations for Gracie Mae may be made through the funeral home.

For more information, call Zimmerman-Harnett at (708) 366-2200.

Villa Park police urged anyone with information to call them at (630) 834-7447.

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<li><a href="/story/?id=383986">Police combing nation for husband in Villa Park murder <span class="date">[05/27/10]</span></a></li>

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