Naperville Man Convicted of Murder After Kicking Wife to Death Over Text Messages
NAPERVILLE, ILLINOIS – A 61-year-old Naperville man has been convicted of first-degree murder for the brutal death of his wife, whom prosecutors say he kicked to death after finding text messages from another man on her phone.
Argument Over Texts Turns Deadly
According to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, Alan Wang attacked his wife, Hongyan Yang, 35, inside their bedroom on March 7, 2020, after confronting her about messages on her phone.
Prosecutors said Wang repeatedly kicked Yang’s legs, causing severe internal injuries that ultimately proved fatal. Emergency responders were called to their home the following afternoon when a relative noticed Yang had stopped breathing.
Despite attempts to revive her, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Husband’s Defense Rejected by Judge
During his trial, Wang claimed he was “only trying to wake her up” after she became unresponsive, denying that he intended to cause harm.
However, DuPage County Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh rejected that explanation, calling the evidence clear and finding him guilty of first-degree murder following a four-day bench trial.
Autopsy results showed blunt force trauma as the cause of death, with deep soft-tissue hemorrhaging in the victim’s legs consistent with a sustained beating.
Case Background and Sentencing
Wang was originally charged with aggravated domestic battery, but prosecutors upgraded the charges after the medical examiner’s findings confirmed the assault caused Yang’s death.
Authorities said the case underscores the dangers of domestic violence that can escalate rapidly and end in tragedy.
Wang is scheduled to return to court on November 12 for post-trial motions and sentencing.
Judge O’Hallaren Walsh called the verdict “a step toward justice” and offered condolences to Yang’s family, stating that the decision “ensures that Mr. Wang will be held responsible for the brutal murder of his wife.”
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