Prosecutors: Man charged with killing daughter-in-law planned to murder her a week ago
Share and Follow

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. Prosecutors say the man charged with shooting and killing his daughter-in-law in the parking lot of an Illinois hotel over the weekend, reportedly upset that she had just filed for divorce from his son, killed her “execution style” and planned on committing suicide after the shooting.

Police in Schaumburg, Illinois, said a citizen restrained him on the ground until officers arrived and took him into custody.

Roland Schmidt, 76, of Stillman Valley, Ill., made his first court appearance Monday at the Rolling Meadows Courthouse. He’s charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting and killing Christine Moyer, 45, of Galena, Ohio, late Friday night outside the Marriott Hotel at 50 North Martingale Road in northwest suburban Schaumburg.

Schmidt was denied pre-trial release Monday, despite having no criminal history. Prosecutors alleged in court that Schmidt planned to murder his daughter-in-law a week ago.

Detectives say Schmidt and Moyer were both attending the same wedding Friday night in Schaumburg. According to police, Moyer was leaving the wedding and Schmidt followed her outside and shot her in the head.

Police say officers responding to the Marriott Hotel around 10:15 p.m. Friday to investigate a shooting found a woman, later identified as Moyer, outside near the front entrance to the hotel.

Moyer had sustained a single gunshot wound and was taken to Lutheran General Hospital, where she died, according to investigators. The gun used in the shooting was recovered at the scene, police say.

‘Pray for her children’

Prosecutors on Monday described Moyer as a person loved by all. She had flown into Illinois to attend the wedding Friday.

Prosecutors say Moyer had just filed for divorce from Schmidt’s son, but nobody at the wedding knew that other than Schmidt and his ex-wife.

Witnesses told police there was nothing out of the ordinary at the wedding. However, they say as Moyer left the venue with several family members, they noticed Schmidt walking toward them rather quickly, which was unusual since he uses a cane.

As Moyer turned, witnesses say she was shot in the back of the head. Several people jumped in to restrain Schmidt and take his gun away.

Court records from Delaware County, Ohio, revealed a mutual restraining order between Moyer and her husband of 16 years, identified as Michael Schmidt.

According to prosecutors, Michael attended the same wedding at the hotel. Their two children were with a babysitter at the time of the shooting due to the wedding being adults-only.

Two people in court who appeared to know Schmidt declined to speak with affiliate WGN, only saying, “Pray for her children.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Exclusive | How Trump's divided loyalties sapped Stefanik's campaign

Trump’s Divided Loyalties Undermine Stefanik’s Campaign: An In-Depth Analysis

New York Republicans were taken aback when Rep. Elise Stefanik seemingly concluded…
Alex Murdaugh's defense attorney explains why he thinks the disgraced lawyer is innocent, will get a new trial

Murdaugh Lawyer Hopes Court Clerk’s Alleged Misconduct Could Lead to New Trial

Alex Murdaugh’s legal team is feeling “cautiously optimistic” about the possibility of…
Dozens of missing children, as young as 1, saved from sex traffickers

Authorities Rescue Several Dozens of Missing Children, Including Toddlers, from Human Trafficking Operations

In a sweeping operation against sex trafficking, authorities in North Florida have…
Eagles overcome flubs to top Commanders and repeat as NFC East champs

Eagles Triumph Over Commanders to Secure Consecutive NFC East Championship Titles

LANDOVER, Md. — The Philadelphia Eagles, reigning Super Bowl champions, did not…
MORE Epstein files are out as details emerge from grand jury records

Unveiled: Shocking Revelations from Newly Released Epstein Grand Jury Files

Disturbing new revelations have surfaced concerning Jeffrey Epstein’s exploitation of young girls,…
FILE - An attendee asks Pearl Harbor survivor Ira

WWII Navy Veteran and Pearl Harbor Survivor, Ira ‘Ike’ Schab, Passes Away at 105

Ira “Ike” Schab, a distinguished World War II Navy veteran and one…
22-year-old man dies after Birmingham shooting, suspect in custody

Tragic Birmingham Shooting Claims Life of 22-Year-Old; Suspect Apprehended

In Birmingham, Alabama, a suspect has been apprehended following a deadly shooting…
Charlie Kirk fans pose for selfies at recreation of murder location

Controversy Erupts as Charlie Kirk Fans Turn Crime Scene into Selfie Spot

Supporters of Charlie Kirk have been capturing selfies at what seems to…