Reese Miller.Photo:Harwood Heights Police Department
Harwood Heights Police Department
An Illinois man was charged with murder after authorities alleged that he killed a 61-year-old woman during a carjacking.
On the morning of Aug. 30, Harwood Heights Ill., police officers found the woman unresponsive with a zip tie around her neck. She was taken to the hospital and was in critical condition,police said. The woman, identified in reports as Ma Operio, died four days later, according to theChicago Sun-Times.
Harwood Heights police said Miller was found in the stolen vehicle hours later in Crete, Ill., where he was arrested. Police said Miller confessed to the crime after he was read his Miranda rights.
Initially charged with attempted murder and aggravated carjacking, Miller’s charges were upgraded to first-degree murder after Operio died, theSun-Timesreported.
According to Cook County prosecutors, per reports from theSun-Times,WGNandABC 7 Chicago, Miller left a note in Operio’s car apologizing for hurting anyone.
“I’m deeply sorry for hurting anyone at the moment, it seemed to be the only choice,” the note reportedly said. “I didn’t want to hurt people. It was never something I ever thought possible until the realization of reality hit me.”
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Miller is currently being held at Cook County Jail and is next due in courts Sept. 22. He is being held without bond, according to jail records. ABC 7 reported that his public defender said Miller suffers from complex post-traumatic stress disorder.
WGN spoke to Operio’s mother, who told the outlet her daughter helped to take care of her grandson and elderly mother.
“She was a very happy person, she quit her job to take care of her grandson,” Maria Gimeno said.
AGoFundMefor Operio was established and so far has raised more than $6,000.
source: people.com
