DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced today that Eric Kramarenko, 38 (d.o.b. 12/01/65), formerly of Schiller Avenue in Elmhurst, was found Guilty today of the February 9, 2000 attempted murder of his then estranged wife Lisa. On that evening, Kramarenko unlawfully gained entry to Lisa’s Glendale Heights apartment building. When Lisa and the couple’s 4 year old daughter returned to the apartment, Kramarenko snuck up behind her and began beating her with a metal bar after their daughter had gone into her bedroom to find her new kitty.   Kramarenko then took the daughter back with him to his Elmhurst apartment, leaving his wife Lisa, 27, there to die.

During the trial it was revealed that Kramarenko and his wife were going through a bitter divorce at the time of the incident. On the evening of February 9th in 2000, the defendant was to have visitation with his daughter until 8pm.  At 8:40 pm the defendant called his wife, telling her he was not going to return their daughter.  His wife disagreed with his decision to keep her overnight and drove to his Elmhurst apartment and retrieved her daughter, taking her back to Glendale Heights.  Kramarenko raced over to his wife’s apartment, beating her there, gained entry and waited for her return.  Upon their arrival, Kramarenko, who was wearing black face paint, savagely beat his wife with a metal bar. He then put his daughter into a sack and took her to his apartment where she spent the night.  The next morning he dropped her off at daycare.

It wasn’t until the little girl wasn’t picked up that evening from daycare that authorities became involved.  A well-being check at Lisa’s apartment led to the discovery of the badly beaten woman.  She remembered little of the ordeal, but recognized the voice of her attacker, identifying it as that of her husband Eric. 

The victim was transported from the scene on February 10th to Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove.  She was diagnosed as having a depressed skull fracture, a lacerated brain, a broken right arm and hand, and a lacerated left hand.  The victim had surgery on her right arm and hand, surgery on her right eye and on her brain.  In addition, she had numerous plastic surgeries as a result of the massive head and face injuries.  She remained in the hospital from February 10th until March 16th and has since recovered from her physical injuries.

Glendale Heights police conducted a very thorough investigation, with the assistance of prosecutors of the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.  During the investigation, Kramarenko fled to the west coast, and upon his return, he was charged with the Attempt Murder and the Aggravated Battery of his wife. 

After a seven day bench trial, Judge Robert Anderson found the defendant guilty of all counts, including Attempt First Degree Murder and two (2) counts of Aggravated Battery, including one with a deadly weapon.  Immediately following the verdict, Kramarenko’s bond was revoked and he was taken into custody.  Judge Anderson continued the case to April 30th for post-trial motions and will set a date for sentencing at that time.

The defendant is eligible for a sentence of 6-60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections based upon the heinous nature of the attack, as Judge Anderson found.

“The beating that this woman endured was savagely brutal, and the fact that she’s alive today is truly a miracle,” commented State’s Attorney Birkett.  “Today’s verdict sends a strong message that domestic violence will not be tolerated, and that the criminal justice system will do all within it’s power to hold those offenders accountable for their actions.”

State’s Attorney Birkett praised the efforts of the Glendale Heights Police during this investigation, and the outstanding work of Assistant State’s Attorneys Jeff Kendall and Jane Radostits who tried the case.

State’s Attorney Birkett also praised the efforts of Lisa’s now eight year old daughter who testified for nearly 1 ½ hours during the trial.  “She is a very brave little girl who witnessed a very tragic thing, her father violently beating her mother.  Her efforts during this investigation and during the trial are commendable.”