"She's in a better place:" Loved ones remember woman killed, stuffed in fridge, thrown in dumpster
RACINE -- Loved ones gathered Tuesday evening, October 11th to remember a Racine woman killed one week ago. The woman's body was found after it was thrown in a dumpster at the Sunshine Supermarket near 16th and Taylor.
Family members of Kim Cantwell shared with FOX6 News a message of forgiveness for the suspect facing homicide charges in this case.
Victoria Newton
"Despite what happened, she went out of this life a winner. My mom struggled for years with prostitution and drug addiction and in the past four years she beat that along with cancer. I can say that she is in a better place," Victoria Newton, Cantwell's daughter said.
49-year-old Harry Fumich of Racine, who faces the following charges:
Harry Fumich
The criminal complaint makes reference to Fumich's extensive criminal history, with convictions dating back to 1985.
On Wednesday, October 5th, Racine police were contacted regarding a homicide that occurred in the apartments above the Sunshine Supermarket on Taylor Avenue in Racine. This individual told police a body had been thrown into the dumpster behind the supermarket.
Officers responded to the supermarket and learned the dumpster had just been picked up by Waste Management.
Police contacted Waste Management and a body was recovered at the dump site near 16th and Oakes in Racine. The body was wrapped in a blanket.
According to the complaint, the individual told police that on the night of October 4th, Fumich asked him to help dispose of an item in a black plastic bag rolled up in a piece of carpeting. The man stated that Fumich advised him to push a dumpster against the exterior wall of the Sunshine Supermarket, directly below where Fumich was standing on the roof with the bundle. Fumich then rolled the item into the dumpster.
Police made contact with Fumich along with his significant other and a third person. The complaint indicates Fumich's significant other was sobbing, and said: "He killed that woman."
Police spoke with Fumich's significant other at the police department, and she told police Fumich killed the victim in this case -- stating that Fumich "was tired of her" and the fact that she "seemed to stir a lot of controversy."
According to Fumich's significant other's statement, on the morning of October 4th, Fumich, upon seeing the victim standing in the doorway to her apartment, waved her over to his apartment, and stated that he had something to show her in the back bedroom.
Fumich's significant other stated that Fumich had cut the cord to a black mini fan in the bedroom, and when the victim entered the bedroom, he wrapped the cord around her neck. The victim eventually fell to the ground.
The complaint states that Fumich checked the victim's pockets and took medication from her before wrapping her in a blanket and putting her body in a refrigerator.
Fumich's significant other said they then left the apartment and used some crack cocaine -- coming home on the evening of October 4th. At this point, the complaint indicates Fumich noted that the body was starting to smell. Later that night, the body was thrown in the dumpster.
Police spoke with Fumich, who stated that the victim "had screwed him over money that he was owed, and he provided her crack cocaine that she didn't pay for, and he ultimately took her television." Fumich said he was "tired of her," and admitted to strangling and killing her.
Fumich stated that afterwards, he looked at the victim and "kind of regretted it." The complaint indicates Fumich admitted to wrapping the body in a blanket and putting it in the refrigerator. He admitted to taking money and methadone pills from the victim, which he told police he sold. He also admitted to throwing the victim's body in the dumpster.
Vigil for Kim Cantwell
"I cannot condemn him. I am not angry. I feel like I should be, but I am not. I know for a fact that my mom is in heaven today," Newton said.
Kim Cantwell will be laid to rest on Friday, October 14th.