Former Elmhurst Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Attempted First Degree Murder of His Estranged Wife

DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced that Eric Kramarenko, 39 (d.o.b. 12/01/65), formerly of Schiller Avenue in Elmhurst, was sentenced today to thirty (30) years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the February 9, 2000 attempted murder of his then estranged wife Lisa.   Following a seven day bench trial in March of 2004, Judge Robert Anderson found Kramarenko guilty of all counts on March 25th.  Those counts include Attempt First Degree Murder and two (2) counts of Aggravated Battery, one of which involves the use of a deadly weapon.  The defendant’s bond was revoked immediately upon his conviction and he has remained in the custody of the DuPage County Jail in Wheaton while he awaited sentencing.

On the evening of February 9, 2000, Kramarenko unlawfully gained entry to his estranged wife 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, and that on the evening of February 9th in 2000, the defendant was to have visitation with his daughter until 8pm.  That evening the defendant argued to keep their daughter overnight, which his wife refused to agree to.  She 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.   Authorities did not become involved until the little girl wasn’t picked up on the evening of February 10th from daycare.  A well-being check at Lisa’s apartment then 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. 

Lisa was transported from the scene on February 10th to Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove where she was diagnosed as having a depressed skull fracture, a lacerated brain, a broken right arm and hand, and a lacerated left hand.  She underwent 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, and remained in the hospital from February 10th until March 16th.  She 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. 

“Lisa is scarred for life by the savage actions of this defendant who continues to deny any responsibility,” commented State’s Attorney Birkett.  “The reality, however, is that his guilt is clear, and he was given a fair trial.  At least now Lisa can be comforted by the fact that this man can no longer harm her or her daughter.”

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.