Wheeling, Illinois – The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has concluded that the deaths of Marisa Dister and Russell O’Connor were the result of a murder followed by a suicide. Marisa Dister died from a gunshot wound to the neck, classified as a homicide by the medical examiner. Russell O’Connor died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
The tragic incident unfolded when Marisa Dister failed to show up for work at the Old Munich Tavern & Grill in Wheeling, prompting a concerned friend to check on her at her residence on 12th Street in Wheeling. The friend discovered both Marisa Dister, 46, and her boyfriend Russell O’Connor, 44, deceased. The police department had a history of responding to domestic-related calls at the same address.
Despite the lack of reports from neighbors regarding gunshots, the Wheeling Police Department initiated an investigation to determine the timeline of events leading up to the tragic discovery. Authorities were alerted to the scene around 5:42 p.m. on April 11, 2024, where paramedics and police confirmed the grisly scene. A gun was found beside the bodies, and both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Wheeling Police Department revealed that the couple had a “strained domestic relationship,” shedding light on the nature of their connection. The Cook County medical examiner’s office confirmed the identities of the deceased as Russell O’Connor and Marisa Dister. Details on the cause of death were not immediately available the following day.
Notwithstanding the nature of their relationship, both victims had a public presence on social media, indicating their partnership. The couple recently celebrated their anniversary at the Cheesecake Factory and attended a comedy show at the United Center in Chicago prior to the tragic event. Marisa Dister leaves behind two adult daughters from a previous relationship, neither of whom resided with her.
Authorities maintained that there was no imminent threat to the public following the incident. The crime scene, located in a residential area just blocks away from the Wheeling Police Department headquarters, prompted a thorough investigation. The grim discovery comes as the most recent in a series of violent incidents in the Wheeling area, reflecting a concerning trend.