Charges yet to be filed in fatal hospital stabbing

A 42-year-old woman was stabbed to death by a 44-year-old male family member or friend while visiting a patient Sunday morning at Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village, according to police.

Francisca Quintero of Burlington, Wisconsin, was rushed to the hospital's emergency room but efforts to save her life failed and she was pronounced dead at 1:10 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Officer Russell Sullivan of the Elk Grove Village Police Department said when police arrived to the hospital at 11:36 a.m., the male suspect had already been apprehended by the hospital security team. The man, who was described as being compliant and cooperative, was questioned by police throughout the afternoon and into the evening.

Sullivan said Sunday no charges have yet been filed against the man.

According to family, Quintero and the male suspect were in a domestic living arrangement at one point, but it was not clear if the two were a couple or related, Sullivan said. The man is believed to be from Elgin, Sullivan said.

Quintero and the suspect were visiting a patient at a hospital who was related to one of them, Sullivan said. Information on the patient is not being released because of HIPAA laws.

No Alexian Brothers patients or staff were injured during the attack, and the hospital remained in operation.

The North Suburban Major Case Assistance Team and the Cook County State's Attorney's Office are assisting Elk Grove Village police with their investigation.

Suburban hospitals have been the scene of violence over the years. In November, Highland Park police officers shot and killed 27-year-old Christopher M. Anderson, of Waukegan inside NorthShore Highland Park Hospital. Authorities said Anderson was admitted to the hospital after he and his daughter suffered minor injuries in a DUI crash. Police were called to the hospital after the staff reported Anderson was acting aggressively. Authorities said police shot Anderson after he drew a gun on officers and hospital workers.

In 2010, Darrell Franklin, 39, of Aurora, stabbed 78-year-old Naomi Johnson multiple times with a butter knife at Provena Mercy Medical Center in Aurora. Authorities said Franklin was visiting his mother, who shared a room with Johnson, when he began his unprovoked attack. Franklin was later found not guilty by reason of insanity and was sent to a secure mental health facility. Johnson survived the attack.