Dena Seymour, a 46-year-old woman from Avon, Illinois, was tragically found dead on September 29, 2015. She had been shot multiple times in her home located in the 31200 block of North Alleghany Road in unincorporated Grayslake, a part of Avon Township. The discovery of her body was made around 8:15 a.m. by authorities who responded to the scene. Dena Seymour was described by her loved ones as kind and friendly, and her death left the community in shock and mourning.
The primary suspect
in the case was Leo Amin, a 30-year-old man from Crystal Lake, Illinois. Amin had a history of criminal behavior, including charges of rape, aggravated assault, and resisting arrest. Despite these charges, he was not in jail at the time of Dena Seymour's death. Just days before the incident, Seymour had confided in a friend that Amin was upset with her for not making their relationship official on social media. Unbeknownst to her, Amin had been arrested earlier that year in Pittsburgh for allegedly raping a woman at a hotel. He was released on bond and allowed to return to Illinois, despite being on probation for previous offenses.
On the day of Dena Seymour's death, Amin was found dead at a rooftop bar in Chicago's River North neighborhood. He had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. This occurred just hours after Seymour's body was discovered, leading authorities to conclude that Amin had taken his own life after killing Seymour. The circumstances surrounding Amin's release from jail and his ability to possess a firearm despite his criminal record raised significant questions and concerns among Seymour's family and the community.
The investigation into Dena Seymour's death highlighted several systemic issues, including the handling of Amin's previous arrests and the judicial decisions that allowed him to remain free. At least three women had sought orders of protection against Amin, citing violent and threatening behavior. Despite these warnings, Amin was able to present himself as calm and compliant in court, which may have influenced the leniency he received. The tragic outcome of this case underscored the need for more stringent measures to protect individuals from repeat offenders and to ensure that those with violent histories are adequately monitored and restricted.
