JOHN SVENSTRUP GETS 16 YEARS IN MURDER OF WIFE

Will also relinquish all rights to five year-old son

              WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Joseph E. Birkett announced today that John W. Svenstrup, 45 (d.o.b. 9/28/62), formerly of 581 S. Poplar, Elmhurst, was sentenced to 16 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the 2005 murder of his 42 year-old wife Nancy Palumbo, (d.o.b. 3/20/63).

             On September 20, 2007, Svenstrup entered a blind plea of guilty to Second Degree Murder in front of Judge Michael Burke.  In addition to his sentence, Svenstrup was also ordered to pay court costs, provide a DNA sample to be submitted into the State’s DNA index of convicted felons, and serve two years of mandatory supervised release.   In addition, an order of protection against Svenstrup on behalf of the Palumbo family will remain in place for two years after Sventrup’s successful completion of his mandatory supervised release.  Before agreeing to reduce the charges from First Degree Murder to Second Degree Murder, Birkett required that Svenstrup agree to terminate all of his parental rights for the couple’s five year-old son.  Birkett noted that “one of Nancy Palumbo’s greatest concerns was the influence that the defendant’s abuse of drugs and alcohol would have on her son.”  Birkett further noted that “by requiring that the defendant give up his parental rights, we have honored Nancy Palumbo’s wish that her son would not be raised by an abusive alcoholic drug abuser.”  Before handing down his sentence, Judge Burke heard testimony from Elmhurst police detectives, medical experts and Nancy Palumbo’s surviving family members during the two-day long sentencing hearing.     

             On July 2, 2005, at approximately 10:45 p.m., Elmhurst Fire and Police Departments responded to a 911 call concerning an unresponsive woman, later identified as Nancy Palumbo.  Upon their arrival at the victim’s home, the Elmhurst Fire Department’s Paramedic transported her to Elmhurst Hospital where she was pronounced dead at approximately 11:30 p.m. that same evening.  After examining the body, a medical pathologist determined that Nancy Palumbo died from asphyxiation due to smothering.  An investigation into the matter resulted in the filing of Murder charges against Svenstrup and ultimately today’s sentencing.

             “We felt that John Svenstrup committed first degree murder when he killed Nancy, but we are pleased that Mr. Svenstrup will never be a part of Johnny’s life,” family members said.  “We will now be able to move on knowing that substantial justice was done today in the memory and honor of Nancy Palumbo.”

             Family members also praised the Elmhurst Police Department, State’s Attorney Birkett and Assistant State’s Attorney Liam Brennan for their efforts.

             “As Judge Burke noted today, we will never know what really happened to Nancy.  We do know two things, the defendant murdered her and he is a liar,” Birkett concluded.

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