Hammer-Wielding Ex-Fiance Stabs Self After Attacking Ex: Police

A woman called police late Tuesday after being attacked with a hammer by her ex-fiancé, who police say later stabbed himself outsider her townhome.

Michael A. Woelfel, 40, was found with a knife embedded in his chest, after the 36-year-old woman fled the scene in the 15300 block of Catalina Drive.

Officers responded to a panic alarm around 12:30 a.m. Feb. 17. A neighbor steered police to an open garage door, where Woelfel was found unconscious with a knife in his chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Woelfel had previously been arrested by Orland Park Police on Jan. 18, 2015 and charged with Kidnapping and Aggravated Domestic Battery, an incident that occurred at this same address and with this same victim. That case is still pending in Cook County and Woelfel’s next court date was scheduled for Friday, Feb. 19 in Bridgeview. The victim had an active Order of Protection against Woelfel and he also had an electronic monitoring bracelet on his ankle while his court case is pending.

Police say Woelfel, whose last known address was in Tinley Park, cut off his EM ankle bracelet some time around 12:20 a.m. in the area of 7700 block of Wheeler Drive. The EM ankle bracelet was later recovered in the street in the 7700 block of Wheeler Drive. Cook County Adult Probation EM/GPS Unit contacted the victim and notified her that Woelfel had tampered with the ankle bracelet and may be in area of the Catalina address.

Investigators believe Woelfel then drove to the victim’s residence and parked on the street. He then broke out a basement window with a hammer to get into the home. The woman was alone at the time, and Woelfel attacked her with the hammer inside her bedroom. She was able to fight off the suspect and free herself. She fled the home, pushing the alarm panic button.

The case is classified a death investigation until the investigation has been completed. There is no indication at this point that anyone other than Woelfel caused the stab wound to his chest. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office will be conducting an autopsy on Michael A. Woelfel.

The victim was treated for multiple contusions and a severe laceration on the head.