A Schaumburg man accused of killing his former girlfriend recorded more than seven hours of the attack, including audio prosecutors say captured her final moments, according to court records and published reports.
Kevin Motykie, 56, is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated criminal sexual assault in the death of Katherine “Kat” Torbick, 43, who was found dead April 30 inside a residence in the 1500 block of Weathersfield Way in Schaumburg.
Police responded to the home for a welfare check at about 9 p.m. on April 30 after Torbick’s boyfriend reported he had not heard from her throughout the day, according to the Daily Herald. Officers entered the home and found Torbick dead inside, while Motykie was located in the garage and taken into custody, prosecutors said.
Authorities recovered a digital recording device containing more than seven hours of audio recorded during the attack, which began around 2:30 a.m. on April 30 and went through 9:30 a.m., according to the Daily Herald. Prosecutors alleged the recording captured Torbick — who'd dated Motykie for 10 years — pleading not to be handcuffed.
The recording also allegedly captured repeated accusations of infidelity, physical and sexual assaults and Torbick's final breaths, according to media reports.
Early in the recording, Torbick and Motykie can be heard arguing. Torbick screamed for Motykie to get off of her and pleaded with him not to put handcuffs on her as Motykie accused her of cheating, according to NBC Chicago.
Prosecutors allege Motykie strangled Torbick several times during the attack. In the final four minutes of the recording, Motykie allegedly said, “I gotta go hang myself,” and “this will take 30 seconds, and think of somewhere happy," WGN News is reporting.
Torbick died from wounds sustained after being strangled in a homicide, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.
Cook County court records show Kevin Motykie had a history of domestic violence allegations, including multiple petitions for orders of protection filed by former partners and family members, and an active warrant for domestic battery at the time of Katherine Torbick’s death, according to media reports.
Prosecutors allege Motykie violently attacked Torbick during a March 12 incident at their Schaumburg home, choking her until she could not breathe or speak, striking her, attempting to gouge her eyes, holding her at knifepoint and threatening suicide after accusing her of cheating on him.
Torbick eventually escaped to a neighbor’s home for help, telling investigators in videotaped statements that she feared Motykie’s violence was escalating and believed he would kill her, while prosecutors now believe audio evidence recovered after his arrest indicates he had resumed living at the home days after a warrant was issued for his arrest, according to Yahoo.
Torbick was described as a “beloved mother, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, and friend.” She graduated from North Park University in 2005 with a nursing degree and spent years caring for patients throughout her healthcare career, according to her obituary.
Nursing, her obituary said, was “more than a profession” and reflected her “generous spirit and deep compassion helping others." She enjoyed gardening, cooking, painting and spending time with her dogs, Bentley and Simba, but found the greatest joy with her son, Jaxon.
Torbick had recently joined Fox River MedSpa, at 1543 S. Randall Road in Algonquin, and quickly became a valued part of the workplace community. Co-workers descrbied her as warm, energetic and deeply caring in both her work with clients and her relationships with other employees at the MedSpa, according to a statement from the MedSpa.
“In the short time she was with us, she brought warmth, energy, and genuine care to our workplace,” the company said in a statement. “She loved being part of this team, and we loved having her here.”
Fox River MedSpa said Torbick’s death has deeply affected staff members, who are now taking time to grieve together and support one another, according to a Facebook post.
“This loss is deeply felt across our entire team. We are taking time to grieve together, support one another, and honor her memory,” the statement said.
Employees also extended condolences to Torbick’s family, especially her son, calling the loss “unimaginable.”
“Our hearts are with her family, especially her son, during this unimaginable time," the statement read.
Fox River MedSpa said it plans to honor Torbick by hosting a donation-based domestic violence continuing education event, with proceeds benefiting Refuge for Women. The organization also encouraged anyone experiencing abuse or unsafe conditions to seek help and support services.
“If you or someone you know is experiencing harm or feels unsafe, please reach out. Support is available, and you are not alone,” the statement said.
Motykie was also previously involved in a civil court dispute that included allegations of embezzlement from a Barrington medical spa and included testimony that he threatened to kill his brother during a financial conflict.
An Illinois Appellate Court ruling filed earlier this year details allegations that Kevin Motykie threatened to kill his brother, plastic surgeon Gary Motykie, amid escalating disputes over the medical spa business, financial misconduct and luxury vehicle investments—a conflict that also led to the filing of an order of protection during earlier civil proceedings, according to the court documents.
The 2026 appellate decision stems from a long-running dispute over Motykie Med Spa in Barrington, which Gary Motykie hired his brother, Kevin Motykie, to manage in 2017. According to the court record, the arrangement later expanded into broader business dealings involving vehicle purchases and investment activity tied to the spa’s finances.
The appellate ruling sheds some light into Kevin's personal life, which has involved substance abuse issues, family conflict and death threats, according to testimony from his family.
At the time of Motykie's recent arrest on April 30, authorities said he appeared to be very intoxicated, was slurring his speech and had a hard time standing, according to media reports. He told police he had taken lorazepam and hydrocodone.
Motykie remains held without release pending trial, according to court records.
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