A 56-year-old Illinois man faces first-degree murder and sexual assault charges following a prolonged, fatal attack on his former girlfriend—an assault prosecutors say was captured on an audio recording device found in the suspect’s pocket.
Schaumburg police discovered the body of Katherine D. Torbick, 43, inside a home in the 1700 block of W. Weathersfield Way on the night of April 30. Officers forced entry into the residence at approximately 9:20 p.m. after receiving a 911 call from Torbick’s current boyfriend, who requested a well-being check after being unable to reach her all day.
Police located the suspect, Kevin Motykie, in the garage and placed him under custody.
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During a detention hearing on Friday, prosecutors revealed that Motykie and Torbick had been in a relationship for roughly a decade before breaking up earlier this year. Torbick had recently started dating someone else.
According to prosecutors, the audio device recovered from Motykie contained a seven-hour recording that began at 2:00 a.m. on April 30 and concluded around 9:24 a.m. Investigators stated that the audio documents a verbal dispute over allegations of infidelity, which Torbick denied. Prosecutors said the recording captures Torbick screaming for Motykie to get off her, demanding he stop hurting her, and begging him not to put handcuffs on her.
Court documents detail that the audio records Motykie handcuffing, beating, binding, sexually assaulting, and strangling Torbick. Evidence indicates Torbick attempted to escape but was bound with duct tape. Motykie is also heard on the recording stating an intention to die by suicide.
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Prior to her death, Torbick had provided a videotaped statement to law enforcement expressing fear that Motykie would kill her. She had filed a felony complaint against him on March 12 and was hospitalized following a separate attack just days before her death. At the time of the fatal incident, an active arrest warrant was out for Motykie for aggravated domestic battery.
Records show Motykie had been the subject of three separate orders of protection filed by three different individuals in the past. Though court documents indicate Motykie was living in the residence with Torbick at the time of the attack, police stated they were unaware of the living arrangement.
Torbick is survived by her 12-year-old son. A judge ordered Motykie detained without bond until his trial. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 23.
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