Jewel-Osco Murder Leads To Wrongful Death Suit

PLAINFIELD, IL - Just days before the one-year anniversary of the Plainfield Jewel-Osco parking lot ambush murder of 65-year-old employee Elaine Zene, a wrongful death lawsuit has been filed at the Will County Courthouse. The civil lawsuit was brought against Sherri McClorey, who is listed as the administrator of Raymond Zene's estate.

The plaintiff is Michele Caruso, who was Elaine Zene's sole heir. The Law Offices of Edward R. Jaquays, a long-time Joliet attorney, filed the lawsuit on Caruso's behalf.

On Oct. 28, 2017, 72-year-old Raymond Zene was waiting for his estranged wife to walk out of the Jewel-Osco. She was killed around 12:30 p.m., on a Saturday afternoon, in the grocery store's parking lot near Route 59 and 135th Street.

"After deliberately shooting and killing Elaine Zene on October 28, 2017 at her place of employment, Raymond Zene drove to his townhouse and killed himself during a standoff with the Plainfield Police Department," plaintiff's attorney Dana Jakusz informed the court.

The Will County Coroner's Office determined the violent crime was a murder-suicide.

The lawsuit states that Raymond Zene was a former Chicago Police Officer and Cook County Sheriff's employee who was involved in divorce proceedings with Elaine Zene at the Will County Courthouse. They intended to finalize their divorce on Oct. 31, 2017.

On Oct. 20, 2017, eight days before killing his wife, Raymond Zene "drafted and executed a last will and testament naming Sherri McClorey and John McClorey as co-executors of his estate," the lawsuit states.

Then, the retired Chicago Police Officer carried out his plan to kill on Oct. 28, 2017.

"Raymond Zene killed Elaine Zene willfully, wantonly and without justification. Elaine Zene's cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds and was ruled a homicide," the lawsuit states. "Raymond Zene's actions were planned and premeditated. Raymond Zene drafted letters attempting to dispose of his perceived estate after being ordered to pay maintenance, formerly known as alimony, in his Will County divorce proceedings.

"In his letters, Raymond Zene apologizes for his acts. In addition to his letters, Raymond Zene drafted and executed his last will and testament one week prior to his plan to fatally shoot and kill Elaine Zene."

The lawsuit against the Raymond Zene's estate asks the court to award more than $50,000 for the wrongful death of Elaine Zene, more than $50,000 for her funeral and burial expenses, more than $50,000 for emotional distress and more than $50,000 for what's known as the Survival Act.

"As next of kin, Elaine's daughter has lost and will continue to lose support, consortium, society, companionship as well as all family members have suffered the grief and sorrow from the loss of the love and affection of and for her mother Elaine Zene and the estate has incurred expenses as a proximate cause of her wrongful death," Caruso's lawsuit states.

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Image of Plainfield Jewel store via Google Maps