Suspect identified in Algonquin woman’s homicide

The man suspected of killing Kelly Hedmark of Algonquin has been identified as Kevin Williams, 25, of Lindenhurst.

Williams was identified late Thursday by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office as one of two men killed in a head-on crash about 9 a.m. Monday near Rockton.

Williams previously had been identified only as Hedmark’s boyfriend and was said to be the prime suspect in her death.

In a news release, the sheriff’s office said Hedmark was found dead in Williams’ home.

Lake County Major Crime Task Force spokesman Chris Covelli also verified Williams’ identity and said Friday that investigators had not found any evidence that anyone other than Williams is responsible for Hedmark’s death. Covelli said Williams was involved in a high-speed crash after the homicide, and a theory is that he intentionally crashed.

Williams was driving a Ford Focus that collided at an intersection with a Dodge Ram driven by Ronald L. Reed, 53, of Durand. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

After learning of the crash involving Williams, Hedmark’s family reported her missing to Algonquin police. Hedmark, 25, was not in Williams’ car and had not been seen since Sunday, according to the Lake County Major Crime Task Force.

According to a task force news release Tuesday, Hedmark was last known to be heading to her boyfriend’s house in Lindenhurst. Her vehicle was found in the driveway of Williams’ home in the zero to 100 block of Beck Road.

Algonquin and Lindenhurst police used a search warrant and found Hedmark’s body inside the home about 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Authorities said she appeared to have suffered “significant” blunt force trauma. The initial task force release said it appeared to be an isolated incident with no threat to the community.

Preliminary autopsy results Wednesday said Hedmark died as a result of blunt force head trauma.

Also Wednesday, the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency posted on its website that Williams had been employed with the agency for nine months and was “involved in plant operations.”

According to the statement, Algonquin police contacted JAWA on Tuesday morning to notify the agency that Williams had been killed in a car crash. No detail was available, the agency said.

Task force investigators have almost completed their investigation, Covelli said. The crash near Rockton still is under investigation by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.

Hedmark was an avid reader and baker and loved to travel, according to her obituary. She was a project manager for benefitexpress human resource consulting in Schaumburg.

Visitation will be at 11 a.m. Friday until the funeral Mass at noon at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 111 S. Hubbard St., Algonquin.

Willow Funeral Home & Cremation Care is assisting with arrangements.

https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20220218/suspect-identified-in-algonquin-womans-murder