BARRINGTON, IL — A Schaumburg man charged in the strangulation death of his girlfriend was 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, a plastic surgeon who lives in Beverly Hills, 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.
Kevin Motykie has since been charged with first-degree murder in Cook County after his girlfriend, Katherine Trobick — an employee at a medspa in Algonquin — was found strangled to death in their Schaumburg home last week, authorities said.
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.
The substance abuse issues, according to court filings and testimony from Gary Motykie, led Gary to "send" Kevin from California "back to the Chicago area," where Gary bought a house for Kevin, Kevin's son and the mother of his son in 2013, according to court documents.
Over the years, their relationship improved, and in 2017, Gary bought the medspa in Barrington and hired Kevin as the manager, according to Gary's testimony. A few years later, Kevin bought a Maserati as a business car per Gary's request, which was to be used for Gary when he visited the Chicago area.
Kevin, according to the court filing, titled the car under his name and not the medspa as he was instructed by Gary, according to Gary's testimony. He also titled other high-value vehicles under his name.
In August 2021, Gary confronted Kevin regarding the certificate of title for a Shelby Mustang, and Kevin became evasive and argumentative, according to court documents. Over the Thanksgiving holiday in 2021, Gary again asked Kevin for the Shelbys' certificate of title and confronted him about embezzling funds from the medspa.
Gary alleged more than $458,000 in medspa funds were embezzled, and those funds were used to pay for personal expenses, including trips, meals and medical and legal bills, according to Gary's testimony.
Gary testified that Kevin screamed at him during the Thanksgiving argument and threatened to kill him, and Gary obtained an order of protection against Kevin in December 2021, according to court documents.
Torbick, who was identified as Kevin's girlfriend, also testified during the court proceedings. She defended Kevin, stating he bought the three Shelbys for himself with "his funds," according to court documents. The cars, she said, were kept in a garage at Motykie's Inverness home.
On April 30, Motykie, 56, of Schaumburg, was arrested in the 1700 block of West Weathersfield Way in Schaumburg, where authorities responded for a well-being check, according to the Lake & McHenry County Scanner.
Torbick was found inside the home and pronounced dead at the scene.
Kevin Motykie has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with accusations he strangled Torbick to death inside their Schaumburg home, according to police.
Before police arrived, a person called 911 concerned about Torbick as they hadn't heard from her all day. Officers were aware of a recent domestic violence incident at the home involving the two. Police said Motykie had an arrest warrant for aggravated domestic battery to Torbick.
Police said there were multiple signs of trauma throughout her body.
Torbick had recently joined Fox River MedSpa, at 1543 S. Randall Road in Algonquin, and quickly became a valued part of the workplace community, the medspa said in a statement this past week.
“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," according to the MedSpa statement.
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.
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