Bond Set at $2 Million in Brutal Wheaton Murder

Lee Leinweber/DuPage County State's Attorney's Office

Bond was set at $2 million Tuesday for a man accused of beating and stabbing his ex-wife to death in her Wheaton home before fleeing with her credit cards, money and car.

Erin Leinweber, 56, was found dead in her apartment at 1321 Woodcutter Lane on Saturday -- five days after ex-husband Lee Leinweber allegedly killed her during an argument, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said.

Wheaton police responded to a report of a deceased woman at around 6:45 p.m. Saturday to find Erin Leinweber dead, with multiple stab wounds to the neck, broken ribs and injuries consistent with beating beaten about the face. A plastic garbage bag was stuffed in her mouth and her head was covered with two additional garbage bags, police said.

Police allege that Lee Leinweber, 56, was at his ex-wife's apartment on Monday, Jan. 30, when a verbal argument turned violent.

Lee Leinweber allegedly attacked his wife, beating her in the face and choking her until she fell to the floor, Berlin and Wheaton Police Chief James Volpe said in a joint statement. He then "dropped his body onto hers, breaking her ribs," before forcing a plastic bag into her mouth and placing two more over her head, police said. At that point, Lee Leinweber retrieved a knife from the kitchen and repeatedly stabbed his ex-wife, according to the statement.

“The sheer brutality alleged in this case is extremely disturbing,” Berlin said. “I offer my sincerest condolences to Erin’s family and friends as they grieve their loss. While nothing can be done to bring Erin back to those who loved her, thanks to the outstanding work of the Wheaton Police Department we will be able to bring a strong prosecution against the man who allegedly took her life."

After the brutal killing, Leinweber is accused of stealing Erin Leinweber's money, credit cards and car. He was arrested Sunday in Ottawa, Illinois, police said.

Lee Leinweber is charged with one count of first-degree murder. He appeared in bond court Tuesday morning, when Judge Richard Russo set his bond at $2 million. Leinweber is due back in court Feb. 21.