Police: Man attacks ex-fiancee with hammer, then fatally stabs himself
ORLAND PARK, Ill. (STMW) - A 40-year-old man attacked his ex-fiancee with a hammer at her home in southwest suburban Orland Park early Wednesday, then fatally stabbed himself in the chest, according to police.
Michael A. Woelfel, 40, cut an electronic monitoring bracelet off his ankle about 12:20 a.m. at his home in the 7700 block of Wheeler Drive in Orland Park, according to a statement from Orland Park police.
He then drove to his ex-fiancee’s home in the 15300 block of Catalina Drive and broke out a lower-level window with a hammer, police said. The 36-year-old woman was alone in her bedroom when Woelfel attacked her with the hammer, police said. She was able to fight him off and run from the home after pushing the panic button on her home alarm.
Officers responded to the alarm and were met by the woman, who was bleeding from the head, police said. She told them her ex-fiance had broken into the home and attacked her, and was still inside.
The officers were directed to the back of the townhome by a neighbor and found Woelfel lying on the ground unconscious with a knife in his chest, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 36-year-old woman was taken to a hospital and treated for a severe laceration on her head and multiple contusions.
Police said Woelfel, whose last known address was in Tinley Park, was previously arrested by Orland Park police on Jan. 18, 2015, and charged with kidnapping and aggravated domestic battery.
The incident involved the same woman, who had an active order of protection against Woelfel. He had the electronic monitoring bracelet attached while that case was pending.
“There is no indication at this point anyone other than Woelfel caused the stab wound to his chest,” according to police. The Cook County medical examiner’s office will conduct an autopsy.
Woelfel is a former employee of WFLD.