Algonquin woman sentenced to 55 years in prison for the murder of an elderly couple
ALGONQUIN — McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally announced on Dec. 6, that Arin Fox, 42, of Algonquin was officially sentenced to serve 55 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) by McHenry County Judge James S. Cowlin.
According to Kenneally, Fox had been charged with the murders of Algonquin residents Leonard and Noreen Gilard. The murders occurred in the couple’s home located at 635 Red Coach Lane on Nov. 6, 2020.
Cowlin imposed the sentence following a contested sentencing hearing where the court heard evidence surrounding the crime and information on Fox’s background. Fox faced an agreed range of a prison term between 40 and 60 years for one count of first-degree murder.
Fox had previously entered a guilty but mentally ill plea to one count of first-degree murder. The plea had taken place following a hearing on the issue of Fox’s mental condition at the time of the commission of the offense, said Kenneally.
At the sentencing hearing, testimony established that Fox had been residing with the elderly Gilards while acting as their caretaker at the time of the stabbing murders. Noreen had been bedridden at the time she was murdered.
After murdering the elderly couple, Fox packed all her belongings, stole cash, and took the Gilards’ car to drive herself to Colorado. She subsequently checked herself into a psychiatric facility in the evening hours of Nov. 7, 2020. While at the facility, Fox told a nurse that she had harmed Leonard and Noreen.
A well-being check was conducted at the Gilards’ residence where their bodies were discovered by authorities. Fox was extradited to Illinois; however, she was found incompetent to stand trial on Oct. 20, 2021, stated Kenneally. On June 9, 2022, Fox was deemed mentally fit to stand trial.
“Evidence at the sentencing hearing established that forensic experts found that Fox knew her actions were wrong and that she was legally sane at the time of the murders,” said Kenneally. “Additional evidence established that the defendant harbored animosity for the victims and was eager to move from their home. While Fox had a documented long-term mental health history, she also had an extensive history of violence and criminal conduct as well as ongoing substance abuse.”
In the days leading up to the murders, text messages from Fox revealed that she was aggressively attempting to obtain cannabis and money from a would-be roommate, who had failed to secure a rental property for them to live in.
Under Truth and Sentencing guidelines Fox’s sentence will be served at 100% of the time imposed.
The case was investigated by former Detective Amy Bucci along with the assistance of the Algonquin Police Department, and the McHenry County Major Investigation Assistance Team. McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney Ashley A. Romito prosecuted the case.
