Shorewood, Illinois – A heartbreaking tragedy struck a Shorewood couple on Mother’s Day when they were forced to watch videos of their deceased daughter instead of enjoying a peaceful day on their pontoon boat. The couple’s daughter, Melissa Aud-Headlee, 35, was fatally stabbed by her estranged husband, Michael “Mikey” Aud-Headlee, 32, of Carmi, in a murder-suicide incident, according to the Joliet police.
Bill and Carol May, residents of Shorewood, had recently purchased a house in Joliet for their daughter Melissa, who tragically lost her life just a day after celebrating her 35th birthday. Now, all the couple has left of their daughter are the videos she left behind as a legacy for her three children, aged 9, 8, and 3.
Melissa’s parents, Bill and Carol May, spent the day after the tragic incident watching these videos to hear their daughter’s voice once more. The Joliet police responded to a report of a woman being stabbed in the street on Saturday morning, only to find Melissa with multiple stab wounds to her chest, while Mikey was found in the driveway of the home, also with stab wounds to his chest.
Despite their grief, the Mays are struggling to come to terms with the reality of their daughter’s death and the fact that justice will never be served due to Mikey’s actions. Melissa had overcome drug addiction and turned her life around, becoming a dedicated mother and hardworking individual. The Mays remember her as a woman who put her children’s well-being above all else.
Melissa’s story is a tragic reminder of the prevalence of domestic abuse, something she kept hidden from her family out of fear of feeling like a failure. The couple now hopes to raise awareness about domestic violence and prevent similar tragedies from happening to other women. The investigation into Melissa and Mikey’s deaths is ongoing, with the Coroner’s Office expected to determine the cause and manner of death. A fundraiser has been set up to support Melissa’s children in the wake of this devastating loss.