A woman in Illinois is being memorialized after she died as a victim of domestic violence. Katherine Torbick was beaten and sexually assaulted for hours by her former longtime partner. Details about their relationship status haven’t really been released, but it seems that it had ended, which angered her accused killer. Many are pointing out something very important about the death of Torbick, who had a son. At the time she was killed, her former partner had a warrant out for his arrest related to an aggravated domestic battery case after he allegedly attacked her. Her story is far too common, and police must do better to save women’s lives.
Police were sent to check on the woman.
At 9:20 p.m. April 30, 2026, officers from the Schaumburg Police Department responded to a well-being check, they noted in a statement. The person who called 911 asked police to check on Torbick, 43, after not hearing from her all day.
Police were aware of a pending arrest warrant for Kevin Motykie, 56, after a domestic assault on Torbick and were familiar with the home because of the incident.
“Officers forced entry into the residence and discovered the victim, Torbick, who was deceased. There were multiple signs of trauma located throughout her body,” police shared in the statement. “The suspect, Motykie, was found in the garage of the residence. He was immediately taken into custody.”
During the investigation, it was discovered that Motyike and Torbick had been in a relationship and were living together.
He has been charged with domestic battery, first-degree murder, and three counts of sexual assault.
What happened was horrific.
According to prosecutors, even though they were still living together, Torbick and Motykie had broken up earlier this year, CBS News Chicago reported. She began dating someone new in April, and that’s who called for the welfare check.
When Motykie was taken into custody, police found an audio recording device in his pocket. On it, they found a seven-hour recording that started at 2:30 a.m. on April 30. It ended around 9:24 a.m.
On the recording, Motykie and Torbick apparently can be heard arguing, with her begging him not to put her in handcuffs, per CBS News Chicago. He repeatedly accused her of cheating, which she denied.
Prosecutors claimed investigators could hear the man handcuff and repeatedly sexually assault her. He also reportedly beat and bound her before strangling her to death. When she tried to escape, Motykie allegedly bound her with duct tape. He was also heard on the recording saying he was going to take his own life.
This wasn’t the first time Motykie is accused of strangling Torbick.
According to a report from WGN, Motykie allegedly strangled Torbick at their home on March 12. Prosecutors said he accused her of cheating on him before he attacked her.
Investigators allege that he choked her with his hands and squeezed her until she couldn’t breathe. He was also accused of hitting her and trying to gouge her eyeballs out during the violent attack.
Even though she tried to get away, Torbick was held at knifepoint, prosecutors said, per WGN. Motykie apparently viciously attacked her and then threatened to take his own life, just as he reportedly did in this most recent crime.
Eventually, the woman was able to get away from him and run to a neighbor’s house. The neighbor called 911, and Torbick was taken to the hospital.
“The victim gave multiple videotaped statements in this case where she detailed Defendant’s violent attack and advised that she felt like Defendant was escalating and believed that he would kill her,” according to a “detention proffer,” WGN reported. Investigators documented her injuries, a note she was forced to write, and they took photos around the home. A warrant was issued on March 16, but police said they couldn’t find Motykie.
Torbick is being remembered fondly by those who knew her.
In her online obituary, Torbick was described as having an “unwavering strength, compassionate heart, adventurous spirit, and deep compassion helping others. ”
“Katherine dedicated many years of her life working as a nurse. Nursing was more than a profession to her; it was a reflection of her generous spirit and deep compassion helping others,” her obituary reads. “More importantly Katherine found the most joy with her son Jaxon.”
In a Facebook post, the owner of Fox River MedSpa, where Torbick worked, paid tribute to her.
“In the short time she was with us, she became a part of our Sisterhood. She brought warmth, energy, and genuine care to our workplace,” the post read, saying she made an “impact.”
The post called Torbick a “teammate and friend,” adding that her coworkers were “heartbroken” after learning about her death. “She mattered. She was valued. And she will always be part of our story,” it read.
The team will host a donation-based domestic violence course in her name and will give the proceeds to Refuge for Women, a nonprofit organization that has locations throughout the United States, including Chicago and provides “specialized emergency housing and long-term care for women who have escaped sex trafficking or sexual exploitation,” its website notes.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of domestic abuse, you can find help and support at DVIS.org, the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or by contacting your local women’s shelter (domesticshelters.org).
