Woman pleads guilty to killing her boyfriend with a car at former Pheasant Run

A former River Grove woman pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder in the death of her boyfriend in 2018 at the former Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, the DuPage County state's attorney's office announced Thursday.

Kathleen Vulpitta, 61, was charged with running over her boyfriend, Earl K. Hagen, 61, of Plainfield, in the parking lot of the former resort and killing him on Sept. 6, 2018.

Vulpitta entered her plea before Judge Brian Telander, who sentenced her to 15 years in prison. She has been held at the DuPage County jail on a $2 million bond since her arrest, the release stated.

When St. Charles police responded to a call for medical assistance shortly before 9:30 p.m. that night, medics found Hagen unresponsive in the west parking lot. He had bruising and tire marks across his chest consistent with being run over by a vehicle, the release stated.

A St. Charles police investigation led to Vupitta's arrest.

Vulpitta and Hagen were staying at Pheasant Run Resort, and, at some point that evening, they had an argument that turned physical, the release stated.

Vulpitta left their room and went to the parking lot, followed by Hagen. While in the parking lot, Vulpitta entered the victim's vehicle and drove over him with it.

"This afternoon, Kathleen Vulpitta took responsibility for the death of Early Hagen, Jr.," DuPage County State's Attorney RobertBerlin stated in the release.

"Earl's tragic death cannot be undone, and I wish his surviving family and friends strength as they continue their lives without the love and support they once enjoyed from Earl," Berlin stated in the release.