Bond Denied For Woman In Teacher's Murder
MAYWOOD, Ill. (CBS) - Bond was denied Friday for a woman charged with the June murder of a former Chicago Public Schools teacher in her west suburban home.
Bonnie Shelesny, 24, of the 1300 block of Ridge Avenue in Arlington Heights, was charged Thursday with one count of first-degree murder, Cook County State's Attorney's office spokesman Andy Conklin.
On Friday, she was ordered held without bond, and a preliminary hearing was set for Dec. 15 at the Maybrook Courthouse in Maywood, Conklin said.
Co-Defendant Steven Kellmann, 30, of the 9100 block of Sherman Avenue in Brookfield, was ordered held on $2 million cash bond on June 17. He is charged with one count each of first-degree murder and armed robbery in connection with the death of Marilyn Fay, 65, on June 16, Conklin said.
Police said Shelesny was with Kellman when he was arrested, but was initially released after being questioned.
Fay was found dead in her home in the 3300 block of Arthur Avenue in Brookfield on June 14. An autopsy found she suffered multiple stab wounds, as well as asphyxia from an assault, and her death was ruled a homicide, the Cook County Medical Examiner's office said.
According to court records, Kellmann was spotted at Fay's home about 7 p.m. on June 13. He had previously worked for her as a handyman.
Surveillance cameras also captured him using Fay's debit card at 2 a.m. on June 14 at a restaurant and at 8 a.m. that day at a hardware store, according to court records. On the same day, Kellmann called a relative using Fay's cell phone, saying he "f****d up and killed someone," court records indicated.
Chicago Police found Fay's 2002 Jeep Cherokee in the 5300 block of South Nottingham Avenue, a release from Brookfield police said. Assisted by officers from the Major Case Assistance Team, Chicago officers took Kellmann into custody at the Rainbow Motel/Pink Palace Fantasy Suites Motel at 7050 W. Archer Ave.
Shelesny was also arrested there before her earlier release after questioning.
Kellmann was found in possession of Fay's cell phone, keys and credit cards, according to court records.
Fay was a retired CPS teacher and part-time Brookfield Library employee.
In June, neighbors describe Fay as a woman who would do anything to help others.
"She was a very nice lady. I don't have anything bad to say about her. She would give you the shirt off her back," neighbor Hank Gosker said in June.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
