(MCT) — An Orland Park woman who was seeking a divorce after 21 years of marriage was likely killed by her estranged husband as she left for work Tuesday morning before he fatally shot himself, officials said.
Orland Park police said Angelo Lolis, 55, apparently confronted Karen Lolis, 48, between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. in the garage of their southwest suburban home as she was leaving for her 5 a.m. shift as a Transportation Security Administration screener at Midway Airport.
The Cook County medical examiner's office said Karen Lolis died of "cervical injuries" due to assault. Her husband's death was ruled a suicide caused by a single gunshot to the chest. Both were found in the garage of the home in the 17100 block of Highwood Drive.
Karen Lolis filed for divorce and sought an order of protection against her husband May 7, according to Cook County Circuit Court records. Orland Park police said they were called to the Highwood Drive address May 3 and May 8 because of arguments between the couple, but no arrests were made.
Attorney James A. Palmisano, who was representing Karen Lolis in the divorce proceedings, said her husband had been emotionally and verbally abusive to her in the past.
"That's what led up to her wanting a divorce in the first place," he said.
Police began searching for Angelo Lolis on Tuesday after his parents found a suicide note at their Hickory Hills home, where he was staying.
The couple's three daughters, ages 19, 17 and 16, were away from the home visiting family at the time of their parents' deaths, police said.