A 24-year-old woman, who leaves behind two young children, was laid to rest this week after she was murdered in Harvard, which her family said she “did not deserve.”
The Harvard Police Department responded around 11:26 p.m. on June 3 to the 700 block of Dewey Street for a report of a domestic disturbance at a residence.
Officers arrived and observed a man, who was armed with a knife, standing over the top of a female, according to Harvard Police Chief Tyson Bauman.
McHenry County Coroner Dr. Michael Rein identified the man as Daniel Alvarado-Aguilar, 33.
The female was identified as Elizabeth Alvarado-Garcia, 24, of Harvard.
Commands were given to Alvarado-Aguilar to drop the knife but he refused, Bauman said.
Bauman said an officer discharged their firearm, striking Alvarado-Aguilar.
Lifesaving measures were performed at the scene on Alvarado-Aguilar and paramedics were called.
Alvarado-Aguilar was pronounced dead at the scene, Bauman said.
Alvarado-Garcia was transported to Mercy Harvard Hospital by the Harvard Fire Protection District.
She had been critically injured and was pronounced dead due to injuries sustained in an attack by the suspect.
An autopsy showed Alvarado-Garcia died as a result of sharp force injuries, Rein said.
An autopsy showed Alvarado-Aguilar died as a result of a gunshot wound and sharp force injuries, Rein said.
Alvarado-Garcia’s family said she had just arrived home after enjoying the night at Harvard Milk Days Fair with her son.
She had “no idea what awaited her” and was “tragically murdered” by her ex-boyfriend, her family said.
Alvarado-Garcia leaves behind a one-year-old child and a four-year-old child.
“She was a kind, free-spirited young woman who deserved to watch her boys grow. She did not deserve to be robbed of life,” Karina Falcon Gonzalez said.
A funeral service for Alvarado-Garcia was held Tuesday in Harvard.
A GoFundMe account created to help the family with their funeral expenses has raised over $6,000.