Algonquin man sentenced to 50 years in prison for the murder of his mother and stepfather

ALGONQUIN — McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally announced that Algonquin resident Maxim Parnov, 37, has been officially sentenced to serve 50 years in the Illinois Department of Correction (IDOC) after pleading guilty to First Degree Murder.

As previously reported in My Huntley News, on Nov. 30, 2021, Algonquin Police officers were dispatched to the 400 block of La Fox River Drive for a “well-being check” after a resident, Peter M. Almen, failed to show up to work that day.

Upon arrival at the residence, police officers attempted to contact Peter and his wife, Elvira “Ella,” however, no one came to answer the door.

Officers then proceeded to speak via phone call to Parnov, who was Ella’s son from a previous relationship and lived at the Algonquin residence. Through that conversation with authorities, Parnov denied having any knowledge of Peter and Ella’s whereabouts but did tell officers that he had been arguing with the couple in recent days.

As the investigation continued, Algonquin Police officers were able to get in contact with a neighbor who had surveillance video from that day which showed male subjects transferring a large object into the back of a U-Haul truck.

When later questioned about the presence of the U-Haul at the residence, Parnov told authorities that he had rented the truck to move certain furniture from the residence and that he asked four landscapers working in the area to help him move the furniture.

According to Kenneally, on Dec. 1, 2021, officers were able to locate the U-Haul truck that Parnov rented in a parking lot of a U-Haul rental facility. A certified human remains detection dog was walked around the U-Haul truck. The dog immediately alerted its K-9 handler that it had detected human remains inside.

A warrant was obtained to search the truck soon after, which uncovered the deceased remains of Peter and Ella Almen.

That same day, police officers attempted to locate and speak with Parnov, however, he actively concealed his whereabouts and hid from law enforcement.

A tip from a friend of Parnov’s revealed that Parnov unexpectedly showed up at the friend’s home that prior night where Parnov proceeded to explain to him that he had been fighting and arguing with his mother and stepfather, which resulted in Parnov being asked to leave their residence. Parnov told his friend that the events that followed next were unfortunate and resulted in the deaths of his parents.

The friend further stated that Parnov did not know what to do after the incident occurred and asked the friend for advice on how to sell his vehicle and obtain a new identity.

Another friend of Parnov’s told authorities that he was also contacted by Parnov in the late evening hours of Nov. 30. This friend reported that Parnov admitted to killing both of his parents by beating them to death and had asked that friend for help burying his parents.

On Dec. 2, 2021, at approximately 6:48 a.m., authorities were able to locate Parnov at a residence in Salem, Wisconsin where he was taken into custody without incident by the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department. He was extradited to Illinois shortly after.

Autopsies conducted by the McHenry County Coroner’s Office determined that Peter and Ella both died as a result of multiple injuries due to assault.

“This case was negotiated after extensive conversations and input from the family of the victims and local law enforcement. Under Truth in Sentencing Guidelines, Parnov must serve 100% of the 50-year sentence imposed,” said Kenneally in a press release. “When including the time spent in custody following his arrest, Parnov will not be released until he is over 86 years old.”

The case was investigated by the Algonquin Police Department and the McHenry County Major Investigations Assistance Team. The case was prosecuted by Randi Freese of the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.