Update: This story was updated at 8:01 a.m. Wednesday to reflect new information from a press release distributed by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
SYCAMORE – A suspect was arrested and charged with four counts of first degree murder after two people were found dead Tuesday inside their unincorporated Sycamore home, authorities said.
The victims, identified as Gary A. Schmidt, 60, and Holly S. Schmidt, 59, died from apparent blunt force trauma, according to an updated press release distributed by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday. The suspect, Kevin A. Schmidt, 35, who also lived at the home, was taken into custody after a multi-county search ending with a traffic stop in Rockford.
The suspect was detained in a traffic stop by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department after the car from the victims’ home was reported missing. He is currently being held at the DeKalb County Jail pending a court hearing, according to the updated press release.
“This is a tragic domestic-related incident, and our thoughts are with the family that has been impacted by this crime,” the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.
The victims were discovered after the DeKalb Sheriff’s office received a call from a family member to check on the status of residents in the 1300 block of Oakland Drive in Sycamore, according to a press release distributed by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday.
As a result of the investigation, Sycamore Community School District 427 was placed under a soft lockdown, according to an email sent to parents from interim Superintendent Nick Reineck at 10:42 a.m.
“We want to inform you that our district is currently under a districtwide soft lockdown at the request of Sycamore Police Department,” Reineck said in the email. “The lockdown is a precautionary measure to ensure everyone’s safety while police complete an investigation.”
The lockdown was lifted and operations at the school continued as usual according to another email sent to parents at 11:24 a.m.
“As a matter of caution the Sycamore Police Department requested Sycamore Community School District to place the schools in a soft lockdown,” Sycamore Community School District said in a separate email to parents at 12:05 p.m. “At this time the Sheriff’s Office investigation is ongoing, however the lockdown has been lifted.
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department is asking the public for assistance with the investigation and anyone with relevant information is urged to call the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office at (815)-895-2155 and ask to speak to a detective. The public can also contact Crime Stoppers at 815-895-3272 or email a tip to [email protected].
