Suspect in killing of Algonquin couple captured in Colorado

A 39-year-old woman suspected in the killings of an Algonquin man and his wife found dead in their house Sunday has been captured in Colorado, police said Monday morning.

Arin M. Fox of Algonquin faces four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of possession of stolen vehicle, and additional charges of aggravated battery and domestic battery stemming from the slayings, Algonquin police said.

Fox fled to Colorado in the victims' vehicle after the killings, police said, but was captured and is in custody in Douglas County, south of Denver, awaiting extradition.

Officers conducting a well-being check about 6:40 p.m. Sunday on Red Coach Lane on the east side of town found the bodies of Leonard J. Gilard, 73, and Noreen S. Gilard, 69, who died from apparent stab wounds, Deputy Chief Ryan Markham said.

Autopsies are scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday to determine the time of death.

Fox is not related to the couple but was living in their house. She is believed to be "a friend or a girlfriend" of the couple's son, Andrew, who was not living with his parents but lives in the area, Markham said.

Markham said there have been multiple domestic violence calls at the house, two in which Fox was the aggressor.

Fox was arrested and charged with aggravated assault in October 2019, accused of throwing a knife in the direction of Leonard Gilard Jr. Those charges were dismissed in September, Markham said. She also is accused of shoving Gilard Jr. during the early morning hours of Nov. 6, resulting in the latest domestic battery charge against her, Markham said.

No personal information is available about the Gilards, who were longtime village residents, Markham said.

Acting Algonquin Village President Debby Sosine, who lives down the block from the Gilards, said the murders came as a shock to the neighborhood.

"I've been here for over 30 years and I don't recall any (murders)," she said. "Everybody was very surprised. It's just a nice quiet neighborhood."

Sosine said she didn't know the Gilards personally except in passing, as the couple were not active in the community.

"The neighbors that knew them said they were quiet. She was just a super nice lady," Sosine said.

Police received information from a third party that Fox had fled to Colorado in the couple's vehicle. They issued a warrant for her arrest overnight.

"At this time, we do not really have a clear motive regarding what happened," Markham said.

Investigators with Algonquin police and the McHenry County Major Investigation Assistance Team are en route to Colorado to take custody of Fox and escort her back to Illinois. The investigation is ongoing and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available, Markham said.

The murders are believed to be related to domestic violence. There is no threat to the community at this time, police said.