Second person of interest in Illinois family of four’s murders dies

A woman who was linked to the man accused of killing an Illinois family of four has been declared dead after she was fatally wounded during a car wreck in an apparent murder-suicide.

Ermalinda Palomo, who was considered a person of interest in the killings, was found with a gunshot wound in the passenger seat of her car, which suspect Nathaniel Huey Jr. crashed while trying to evade police, according to ABC 7.

She was in critical condition and taken to the hospital, where she later died.

Huey Jr., who has been accused of murdering a couple, their two young kids and three dogs inside their suburban Chicago home, died Wednesday in the fiery car crash.

An attorney representing Palomo’s family identified her and said she had been living with Huey.

Attorney John Paul Ivec said the mother of five, who also had five grandchildren, had no criminal history and was a victim of a murder-suicide. It was not clear who shot Palomo.

Huey, 31, had extensive firearms training and was described as a “very dangerous man.” He was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Huey’s Facebook page, he listed Palomo as his “wife.”

The grandmother of five was reported missing by her family when she stopped texting them after sending a series of concerning messages, according to WGNTV.

“And they thought that she sounded scared. But they don’t have any direct information other than, ‘Take care of my grandbabies,’” Ivec said.

Alberto Rolon, 38, Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, and their two children, 10-year-old Adriel and 7-year-old Diego, were found dead inside their Romeoville home during a welfare check Sunday night.

The family and their three pets were fatally shot in what police said was “not a random incident.”

“Evidence has shown us a nexus between our suspects and the victims as well as possible motives,” Romeoville Deputy Chief Chris Burne said at a press conference.

Palomo’s family said they are unaware of the alleged couple’s relationship with the deceased family, according to WGNTV.

Police did not release a motive due to the pending investigation.

The Bartolomei family released a statement Wednesday thanking the public for its support, writing: “We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of solidarity and support following the tragic loss of Zoraida Bartolomei, her husband Alberto Rolón, and their sons Adriel and Diego. At this moment, our primary focus in on channeling support, assistance, and love for our family and loved ones.”

The family said they are unable to speak about the incident due to the investigation, according to CBS News.