Crystal Lake man charged with the attempted murder of his estranged wife

CRYSTAL LAKE – On March 5, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Crystal Lake Police officers responded to the 1300 block of Skyridge Drive for a report of a domestic incident involving a stabbing.

While en route to the location, officers received information that the offender had left the scene of the crime.

Once officers arrived at the residence, they discovered an adult female victim who was suffering from significant injuries to her head, which were caused by a hatchet and hammer.

A friend of the victim later confirmed that the female discovered at the scene was the estranged wife of the offender who was later identified as Mark Alex, 57, of Crystal Lake.

According to McHenry County Circuit Court records, a petition for a dissolution of marriage was filed on June 22, 2021, by Alex’s estranged wife, Wilma. The court had also previously granted Wilma an emergency order of protection in August 2021.

Back at the scene of the crime, emergency medical care was provided to the victim by Crystal Lake Fire Rescue personnel who had responded to the incident.

Alex’s estranged wife was subsequently transported to an area hospital where she currently remains, according to the Crystal Lake Police Department.

A child was also reported to have been at the residence when the attack occurred. The child was uninjured and was temporarily placed with a responsible adult.

At approximately 6:14 p.m., police officers located Alex in Algonquin, where he was taken into custody without incident.

As a result of the investigation, Alex was charged with two counts of attempted murder, a Class X felony; one count of aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony; and one count of endangering the life of a child, a Class A misdemeanor.

Alex is currently incarcerated at the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility in Woodstock on a $2 million bond. His next court hearing is scheduled to take place on March 9.

“This was an isolated incident that resulted in the arrest of the offender. There is no danger to the public regarding this incident. The Crystal Lake Police Department would like to thank the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, and the Algonquin Police Department for their assistance,” stated the Crystal Lake Police Department.