Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Carol Stream Chief of Police Don Cummings announced that Judge Joshua Dieden has denied pre-trial release for Baltazar Perez-Estrada, charged with the murder of his wife, Maricela Simon Franco. Perez-Estrada, 33, is accused of stabbing Franco multiple times following a domestic dispute at her apartment.

On April 1, 2024, Perez-Estrada reported to the Carol Stream Police Department, allegedly confessing to the crime. The investigation revealed that a verbal argument escalated into violence, resulting in Franco's death. Authorities discovered that Perez-Estrada had recently entered the United States illegally from Mexico. He faces charges from the U.S. Government regarding alien inadmissibility.

Berlin expressed condolences to Franco's family and emphasized the seriousness of domestic violence. "The extremely violent end to a young mother’s life is something that should touch us all," he stated. Berlin assured that Perez-Estrada would be prosecuted fully.

Cummings highlighted the impact on Franco's family and acknowledged law enforcement's role in addressing domestic violence issues. "Not only has this senseless and brutal act removed Maricela from their lives, but it has robbed two young children of their mother," he said.

Perez-Estrada will appear in court again on April 25, 2024. It is important to note that these are charges and not proof of guilt; Perez-Estrada remains innocent until proven guilty in court.