Melissa and Michael Aud-Headlee: Joliet man stabs estranged wife in front of toddler son in murder-suicide

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

JOILET, CHICAGO: Authorities have identified a woman and her estranged husband who were involved in an apparent murder-suicide in Joliet on Saturday, May 11.

The Will County Coroner confirmed the deaths of Melissa Aud-Headlee, aged 35, and Michael Aud-Headlee, aged 32, at Ascension St Joseph Hospital.

How did Melissa Aud-Headlee and Michael Aud-Headlee die?

Joliet Police Department officers responded to a report on Pandola Avenue around 11:10 am, where a woman had been stabbed, as detailed in a police news release. 

Upon arrival, they discovered a 35-year-old woman with multiple stab wounds lying in the street and a 32-year-old man with similar injuries in a nearby driveway. 

Both were rushed to Ascension St Joseph Medical Center but were later pronounced dead, per NBC.

Melissa Aud-Headlee, 35, of Joliet, was identified as the deceased woman in a Sunday Facebook post by authorities, while the man, Michael Aud-Headlee, 32, from Carmi, Illinois, was noted as the assailant by the police. 

The circumstances of their deaths await confirmation from autopsy and toxicology reports from the Will County Coroner's Office. 

According to Joliet police, Michael was the estranged husband of Melissa, and they were in the process of divorcing. Initial findings suggest a disturbance occurred when Michael arrived at Melissa's residence, prompting her to flee.

Suspect Michael Aud-Headlee was armed with kitchen knife

According to police, suspect Michael reportedly pursued the victim Melissa armed with a kitchen knife, eventually reaching her and inflicting multiple stab wounds to her chest. 

Witnesses reported that after assaulting the victim, Michael proceeded to stab himself multiple times in the chest. 

Although the couple's 3-year-old son was present during the incident, he was unharmed, as confirmed by authorities. 

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, "This was determined to be a targeted domestic-related incident and there is no threat to the community. This incident remains under active investigation." 

He added, "There are 3 children. 1 was home. .. 1 came home and witnessed it and the other was not home," as per Patch.

Following protocol, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services was notified in compliance with state-mandated reporting regulations. 

Police categorized the tragic event as a targeted domestic incident of murder-suicide, reassuring the community that there was no further risk to public safety.