Man Convicted Of Stabbing Woman 39 Times At Park In Glen Ellyn

GLEN ELLYN, IL --- After two hours of deliberation, a jury found a 50-year-old man guilty of first degree murder Thursday in the 2013 stabbing death of a Wheaton woman whose body was found in Glen Ellyn's Panfish Park. Myron Ester was found guilty of stabbing Linda Valez, 39, nearly 40 times and placing her body in a shallow grave in the park.

"On September 24, 2013, Mr. Ester brought Linda to Panfish Park knowing full well he would be walking out alone,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. Police say Valez and Ester went to Panfish Park on the evening of Sept. 24 and got into a verbal argument that "turned violent resulting in Ester stabbing Valez numerous times about the head, neck and torso."

Valez had been missing for three days when investigators discovered drops of blood and a "disturbed area of vegetation" that led them to discover the makeshift grave in which Ester had buried Valez.

Berlin praised the work of investigators who handled the case, saying, "This was a pre-meditated senseless act of domestic violence that thanks to the outstanding work of the Glen Ellyn Police Department and the Major Crimes Task Force will not go unpunished."

Ester is set to appear in court on Feb. 20 for pre-sentencing. He faces a sentence of natural life in prison.

Image via DuPage County State's Attorney's Office