Wheeling, Illinois – The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the tragic deaths of Marisa Dister and Russell O’Connor as a case of murder followed by suicide. Marisa Dister, aged 46, tragically lost her life due to a gunshot wound to her neck, while Russell O’Connor, aged 44, took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot to his head.
This heartbreaking incident unfolded when Marisa Dister failed to show up for work at the Old Munich Tavern & Grill on Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling. Concerned for her well-being, a friend went to her residence on 12th Street in Wheeling where both Marisa Dister and Russell O’Connor were discovered lifeless. The police department had been previously called to the address for domestic-related incidents.
Despite the absence of reports from neighbors regarding gunshots, authorities are currently investigating the timeline of events leading up to the tragedy. Responding to a 9-1-1 call at around 5:42 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, 2024, in the 300 block of 12th Street, Wheeling police found a gun beside the bodies. Both victims were pronounced dead inside the home.
It was revealed that the couple had a strained domestic relationship, according to a statement released by the Wheeling Police Department. The identity of the victims – Russell O’Connor and Marisa Dister – was officially confirmed by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office by the following morning, although the causes of death were not immediately disclosed.
At this time, law enforcement believes there is no further threat to the public stemming from this particular case. The crime scene, located in a one-story home in a cul-de-sac, is situated just a few blocks north of the Wheeling Police Department headquarters. The couple, who had recently celebrated their 14-year anniversary at the Cheesecake Factory, had shared their relationship milestones on social media.
Marisa Dister leaves behind two adult daughters from a previous relationship, neither of whom resided at the home. The tragic incident marks the most recent in a string of violent events in Wheeling, including a murder-suicide in 2022. As the community mourns the loss of Marisa Dister and Russell O’Connor, authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding their deaths.