Illinois Man Sentenced After Fatally Stabbing Mother 26 Times and Telling Brother He “Did Something Bad”
AURORA, ILLINOIS — A Kane County judge has sentenced Abel Quinones-Herstad, 23, to 38 years in prison for the brutal killing of his mother, a crime prosecutors described as “heinous” and devastating to the entire family. Quinones-Herstad pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the July 2022 stabbing death of 55-year-old Edith Gonzalez-Alarcon, according to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The defendant was 20 years old at the time of the killing, which authorities say involved extreme violence inside the family’s Aurora home before he fled the state and confessed the act to his brother.
Mother Killed Inside Aurora Home
Prosecutors say the killing occurred on July 14, 2022, at Gonzalez-Alarcon’s residence on Jackson Place in Aurora. According to court records, Quinones-Herstad stabbed his mother 26 times, inflicting fatal injuries that led to her death at the scene.
After the attack, investigators say Quinones-Herstad placed his mother’s body inside a closet in the home in an apparent effort to conceal the crime. A knife believed to be used in the killing was later found hidden beneath a rug in the living room.
An autopsy later confirmed that Gonzalez-Alarcon died from multiple stab wounds, consistent with the violent nature of the attack described by prosecutors.
Confession to Brother After Crossing State Lines
Following the killing, authorities say Quinones-Herstad left Illinois and traveled north into Wisconsin, where his brother lived. Once there, he made a chilling admission.
According to police, Quinones-Herstad told his brother that he had “done something bad to their mother” and said he could not go back home. Alarmed by the statement, the brother contacted authorities, setting off a chain of events that would lead investigators back to the Aurora residence.
Welfare Check Leads to Discovery of Body
After receiving concerns from family members, the Aurora Police Department was asked to conduct a welfare check at Gonzalez-Alarcon’s home. Officers arrived the morning after the killing and discovered her body inside the residence.
Police quickly determined the death was a homicide and launched a multi-agency investigation. At the time of the discovery, Quinones-Herstad was already in Wisconsin, prompting authorities to coordinate with out-of-state law enforcement.
He was eventually detained by the West Allis Police Department, bringing an end to his brief flight from Illinois.
Prosecutors Describe ‘Brutal and Heinous Crime’
During sentencing, prosecutors emphasized the severity of the violence and the lasting impact on Gonzalez-Alarcon’s loved ones. Assistant State’s Attorney Christine Bayer addressed the court, acknowledging both the gravity of the crime and the strength shown by the victim’s family.
“This was a brutal and heinous crime that forever altered the lives of everyone involved,” Bayer said. “We acknowledge the family’s extraordinary bravery and strength. While this sentence brings accountability, we recognize that they will never fully heal from this loss.”
Prosecutors argued that the length of the sentence was necessary to reflect the extreme nature of the crime and the irreversible harm caused.
Sentence Details and Time Served
Quinones-Herstad was sentenced to 38 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Under Illinois law, he is required to serve the full sentence, meaning he is not eligible for early release or parole.
The court did, however, credit Quinones-Herstad with 1,243 days already served in the Kane County jail while awaiting trial and sentencing. Despite that credit, he faces decades behind bars for the killing.
A Case That Shook the Aurora Community
The killing sent shockwaves through the Aurora community, where neighbors and residents struggled to comprehend how such violence could occur inside a family home. Authorities have not publicly discussed a motive, and prosecutors did not indicate that drugs or outside factors played a role in the stabbing.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that the case highlights the importance of family intervention and early reporting when loved ones express alarming behavior or distress.
Justice, but No Closure
While the sentencing brings the legal case to a close, prosecutors acknowledged that no prison term can undo the loss suffered by Gonzalez-Alarcon’s family.
Her death marks yet another tragic instance of domestic homicide, leaving behind grieving relatives and unanswered questions about how such violence can be prevented in the future.
As Kane County officials continue their work addressing violent crime, this case stands as a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences when violence erupts within the home.
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