Man Stabbed Parents Of Girl Who Called Him Ugly: Guilty Plea

NAPERVILLE, IL — A 21-year-old man pleaded guilty Friday to attempted murder for a 2015 incident in which he broke into a Naperville home and stabbed a couple multiple times in their face and back as they slept in their bedroom. Zachary Machnikowski, 21, of Spring Garden Circle, has been in custody without bond since he was charged.

The stabbing took place just after 1:15 a.m. on March 31, 2015. Police say Machinikowski entered the home carrying "large knife," police say. He then stabbed the husband and wife "multiple times in the face, head and back."

The husband ultimately fought off Machinikowski, who then fled. He was arrested minutes later, police say.

Police said Machinikowski believed the couple's daughter had called him "ugly" while they were at a party in 2015, according to NBC Chicago. He became angry and left the party to sneak into the girl's home, where he attacked her sleeping parents, according to police.

After Machinikowski's guilty plea, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said, "I can’t even begin to imagine the horror the couple must have felt when they were awoken in their own bedroom by a knife-wielding intruder."

Machinikowski faces up to 60 years in prison.

Image via DuPage County State's Attorney's Office