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Background: News footage of police activity outside the Kenosha, Wis., house where a woman was found dead on April 1 (WISN). Inset: Marckus Plaza (City of Kenosha Police Department).
Authorities in Wisconsin are on the hunt for a man accused of murdering his estranged wife at her residence.
A warrant has been issued for 33-year-old Marckus Plaza, who is believed to have fatally stabbed his estranged wife in her Kenosha home while her children were present. As detailed in a criminal complaint released by the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office, the incident unfolded while the woman, whose name has not been disclosed, was speaking to a friend on the phone Wednesday morning. The friend, alarmed by the sounds of a struggle and recognizing a voice she suspected to be Plaza’s, promptly contacted the police.
Upon arrival, officers from the Kenosha Police Department were met at the door by Plaza, who identified himself as “Allen” before shutting the door on them. As the officers moved to the back of the house, they peered through a basement window and reportedly saw Plaza “dragging a body,” which they later identified as his wife’s.
The police forced entry into the home, prompting Plaza to flee. Inside, they discovered the woman with a knife embedded in her left eye, and she was declared deceased at the scene.
The complaint revealed that investigators found blood splattered throughout the house, indicating a violent struggle had occurred. The officers also discovered the couple’s two young children, including one who was just days away from celebrating his fifth birthday. The older child told police, “Daddy hit Mommy,” while the younger child was spotted with bloodstains on his clothing.
Investigators continued to speak to the 5-year-old after bringing him to the Children’s Advocacy Center. The little boy told investigators, “Momma got dead,” adding, “Daddy use a knife, my daddy do it.”
Plaza remains at large. The DA’s office has charged him with first-degree intentional homicide, and they asked the public to contact the Kenosha Police Department with any information about his whereabouts. Authorities cautioned the public not to approach Plaza.