$3 million bond for Kenosha man accused of killing his estranged wife at her Gurnee, Illinois home

GURNEE, Illinois/KENOSHA, Wisconsin -- A 43-year-old Kenosha man has been criminally charged, accused in the murder of his estranged wife, 48-year-old Beata Brocksom.

It happened in Gurnee, Illinois.

According to the Chicago Tribune, David Brocksom indicated he drove to Gurnee from Wisconsin Dells in the middle of the night -- leaving the couple's two children behind. The trip was an effort to confront his estranged wife after one of their children told Brocksom his wife had been abusive.

David Brocksom



The Chicago Tribune is reporting Brocksom told investigators his wife answered the door at her home around 4:00 a.m., and an argument ensued. As the argument escalated, Brocksom indicated his wife struck him with an object, knocking him unconscious. When he came to, Brocksom said his wife was standing over him with a gun.

He realized she had been shot as the two struggled over the weapon.

Brocksom said his wife was shot in the chin, and she fled through a window. He then followed, and the struggle continued in the yard. At one point, Brocksom told investigators he heard a gurgling sound, and realized Beata Brocksom had stopped breathing.

Brocksom is then accused of dragging her body behind a bush -- fleeing the scene after going back into the Gurnee home to wipe off his bloody glasses.

Beata Brocksom was found dead in the yard of her Gurnee home on Sunday morning, September 27th.

The Chicago Tribune reports a bullet was found lodged in Beata Brocksom's spine, and bullet fragments were found in a mattress in the living room -- and there was blood throughout the home.

David Brocksom was captured in Gurnee Sunday night. He appeared in court on Tuesday morning, charged with first-degree murder.

Bond has been set at $3 million in this case, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Court records indicate the Brocksoms had been going through a divorce since 2011 and that David Brocksom had twice requested orders of protection against his wife in 2013.