Francis "Frankie" Stack Jr., a 48-year-old white male, died on August 31, 2014, in Elmhurst, Illinois. His death was part of a tragic murder-suicide orchestrated by his father, Francis Stack Sr., who was 82 years old at the time. The incident also claimed the lives of Frankie's mother, Joan Stack, aged 82, and his sister, Mary Stack, aged 57. All four family members were found with gunshot wounds to the head.
The DuPage County Coroner's office confirmed that Francis Stack Sr.
committed suicide after killing his wife and two children. The police were called to the Stack family home on the 600 block of South Chatham Avenue for a well-being check around 6:45 p.m. on August 30, 2014. Upon arrival, they discovered the bodies of the four family members.
Neighbors and acquaintances described Francis Stack Sr. as a loving and devoted father who had been caring for his severely disabled children, Frankie and Mary, for their entire lives. Both children had autism and required constant care. Joan Stack, Frankie's mother, was also suffering from severe arthritis and terminal cancer, which left her unable to leave their home.
The motive behind the murder-suicide appears to be rooted in the immense burden and stress that Francis Stack Sr. faced in caring for his family. Neighbors mentioned that he had expressed a desire for the family to "all go together" and believed that his actions were a form of mercy killing.
There were no arrests or suspects in this case, as the perpetrator, Francis Stack Sr., was deceased. The investigation concluded that it was a murder-suicide, and no further legal actions or litigations were pursued.
