Coroner IDs Couple In Apparent Plainfield Murder-Suicide

PLAINFIELD, IL — Plainfield police said a man and woman were dead in an apparent murder-suicide that began with a shooting at around 12:30 p.m. Saturday in a Jewel-Osco parking lot, NBC Chicago reported. Early Sunday, the Will County Coroner's office confirmed that the deaths of Elaine M. Zene, 65, of Woodridge and Raynond T. Zene, 72, of Plainfield were related. Plainfield police have said they expect to release additional information on Monday.

The Will County Coroner's office said Elaine Zene sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at 1:08 p.m. at the AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center Bolingbrook emergency room. Plainfield police are investigating her death as a homicide.

Northern Illinois FireGround Photos reported a multiple-agency response to a shooting in the Jewel parking lot near Route 59 and 135th Street, saying the suspected shooter had fled and was barricaded in a home nearby.

After the shooting, Raymond Zene reportedly fled to a Walnut Circle home, where police responded to a barricade situation and heard a shot, according to NBC.

Raymond Zene was found dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound in a vehicle in the garage, NBC reported. The coroner's office said Raymond Zene was pronounced dead at 5:15 p.m. in the 24000 block of Walnut Circle and the cause of death appears to be suicide.

Autopsies were completed on Sunday.

Will County court records show that Elaine Zene filed for divorce in April 2016. The case remain open, and an order to sell the couple's marital home in the 14000 block of Hunt Club Lane was signed in April 2017. The home sold in May, and a hearing in the divorce case was scheduled for this Tuesday in Will County.

Elaine Zene previously began divorce proceedings in April 2004 but filed a motion to dismiss the case in January 2005, according to court records. Court records also show that Elaine Zene filed for an order of protection against Raymond Zene in April 2004 and again in July 2004.

On Facebook, police confirmed they were dealing with "two major crime scenes" Saturday afternoon at Jewel-Osco and "an active armed barricaded situation on Walnut Circle near 119th."

Plainfield police didn't return messages from Patch on Saturday. Plainfield Deputy Fire Chief Jon Stratton said he could not immediately comment on the incidents but confirmed residents in the area of Walnut Circle were being asked to stay inside. Police asked residents of the neighborhood to "remain in your houses until further notice."

At around 4 p.m., police said "the situation has been secured," but asked residents to stay away from the Walnut Circle crime scene. Just before 11 p.m., Plainfield police said Walnut Circle had been reopened and the scene was clear. "We believe the two incidents are related and there is no longer a threat to the community," police said.

Check back with Patch for updates on this developing story.

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