Chung Kim, a 71-year-old woman of Korean ethnicity, tragically died on June 27, 2014, in Chicago, IL. She was killed by her husband, Howard Kim, in what authorities described as a failed murder-suicide attempt. Howard Kim, aged 76, shot Chung Kim multiple times before turning the gun on himself. Chung Kim was pronounced dead at the scene, while Howard Kim survived and was later sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder.
The incident occurred in their Morton Grove home, located in
the 5500 block of Madison Street. The day before the murder, Howard Kim was arrested on domestic battery charges after Chung Kim reported a domestic dispute. However, Chung Kim refused to testify against her husband, leading prosecutors to decline to pursue the domestic battery charges.
On the day of the murder, Howard Kim shot Chung Kim and then attempted to take his own life. Neighbors described the couple as quiet and reclusive, and the incident was the first murder in the community in 14 years. Howard Kim was charged with first-degree murder and later pleaded guilty to the crime, resulting in his 20-year prison sentence.
The tragic death of Chung Kim highlights the serious and often hidden issue of domestic violence, even among elderly couples. It also underscores the importance of support systems and resources for victims of domestic abuse.
