Woman Held Captive In Motel Room, Beaten In Face & Strangled, Lockport Man Charged With Attempted Murder: PD

WILMINGTON, IL — A woman was rescued by police after being held captive inside a motel room, beaten in the face with a metal object and strangled multiple times, police said. A Lockport man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the domestic violence incident, police said Friday.

Wilmington police responded to a reported welfare check at the Super Shine Motel in the 100 block of Bridge Street Thursday just before 9:30 p.m. Police were called to investigate concerning text messages received by the victim's co-worker, according to police.

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The messages indicated that the woman was being held inside a motel room by her boyfriend, that the door had been barricaded and that she was in need of help, police said Friday.

At the motel, officers attempted to make contact with the occupants of the room. After receiving additional information that the victim was inside and unable to leave, officers worked with motel staff to obtain a room key, police said.

Police said officers learned the door had been barricaded from the inside and forced entry into the room. Police found a woman inside "visibly injured" and in need of immediate medical attention, police said. Officers took the man from the room while others helped the victim.

The woman told police that she had been held inside the room since approximately 12:30 p.m. and said the man—identified as Ethan Demsco, 28—as the person responsible for her injuries, police said. She reported being repeatedly struck in the face with a metal object and strangled multiple times, causing her to lose consciousness, police said

Wilmington EMS responded to the scene and transported the victim to St. Joseph's Hospital for further medical treatment.

Wilmington detectives later met with the victim at the hospital as part of the ongoing investigation.

Demsco was taken into custody and transported to the Wilmington Police Department, where he was charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery-great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement, aggravated battery-strangulation, and aggravated unlawful restraint. He was then transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Facility.

Wilmington police list Demsco as a Lockport resident. Will County jail logs list a Joliet address. Jail records show Demsco is due in court Saturday.

The Will County Sheriff's Office assisted Wilmington police officers at the scene. Will County Crime Scene Investigators also responded and processed the motel room for evidence.