CHICAGO — A 28-year-old man has been ordered held on $2 million bond in connection with the fatal stabbing of a Brighton Park woman in February.
Matthew Rosario, of the 4600 block of South Washtenaw Avenue in Brighton Park, was charged with first degree murder in the death of 53-year-old Lucy Wrobel.
Police and firefighters found Wrobel stabbed to death in her home in the 2500 block of West 45th Place around 1:50 p.m. on February 7.
Prosecutors said Rosario had been living with Wrobel for about a month but had kicked the 28-year-old out about a week before she was killed. Wrobel told her son, who lived on the second floor of the house, that she did not want Rosario to return, prosecutors said.
On February 7, Wrobel's son woke up to the sound of breaking glass and spotted Rosario climbing into his mother's window. Wrobel's son confronted Rosario who allegedly told him that Wrobel was "dope sick." Prosecutors said Wrobel had a substance abuse problem.
Wrobel's son went back to him apartment and fell asleep. About 1:30 p.m., he woke up to the smell of smoke.
Soon afterwards, police and firefighters responded to a fire at the home. Firefighters found Wrobel on a couch with a wooden door placed on top of her, prosecutors said. When they tried reviving her, firefighters discovered she had been stabbed in her neck and "blunt trauma" to her head.
Authorities found a steel-clawed hammer, a lighter and a propane torch around Wrobel's body, prosecutors said. The Cook County Medical Examiner's office later classified the 53-year-old's death as a homicide.
Wrobel's son identified Rosario, and Rosario allegedly admitted to stabbing Wrobel, authorities said. Rosario also allegedly told his brother Wrobel was stabbed and her house was on fire.
On Friday, a Cook County judge ordered Rosario be held on $2 million bail, according to court records.
In 2010, Rosario was convicted of burglary and sentenced to six years in prison. He was also convicted of burglary in 2007 and attempted burglary in 2009, prosecutors said.
CONTRIBUTING: Erin Meyer
