Laura Helton, a 49-year-old woman from Chicago, IL, tragically lost her life on October 5, 2019. She was found dead in her West Rogers Park apartment building, having been fatally shot by Zurich Marshall, a 43-year-old man she had dated. The incident occurred in the hallway of her home, where she was leaving with her 10-year-old granddaughter. The granddaughter spotted the gunman and ran back into the apartment, prompting Helton to yell at him before he shot her.
Helton's 28-year-old son, who was the child's father, found his mother in the hallway after hearing the gunshots and chased after the gunman until he was wounded in the right arm.
The autopsy confirmed that Laura Helton died of multiple gunshot wounds, and her death was ruled a homicide. Zurich Marshall, the perpetrator, was later found unresponsive from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head in the South Shore neighborhood. His death was ruled a suicide. The police investigation revealed that the shooting was domestic-related, but the exact trigger for the deadly incident was not disclosed.
Laura Helton was a longtime worker with the city's Department of Finance, remembered for her unmatched enthusiasm and dedication to her job. Her tragic death left a significant impact on her family, friends, and colleagues. The case was widely reported in the media, highlighting the devastating consequences of domestic violence.
