On April 14, 2023, Alexis F. Boland, a 22-year-old resident of Dunlap, IL, was fatally shot in her apartment. The incident occurred around 9 am when sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a female shot at 12300 N. Brentfield Dr. Upon arrival, deputies found Boland lying on the floor of her apartment with multiple gunshot wounds. A neighbor attempted to save her life by performing CPR and applying pressure to her wounds, but she ultimately died at the hospital.
The investigation revealed that Walter J. Artis, Boland's 28-year-old boyfriend, was responsible for her murder. On the day of the incident, Artis forced his way into Boland’s apartment, pulled out a gun, and shot her multiple times, with one bullet hitting her in the back of the head. After the shooting, Artis fled the scene.
In the aftermath of the murder, Boland’s family described the past 18 months as a “horrific nightmare” and emphasized how Artis's actions had ruined many lives, particularly those of the children he shared with Boland. The children, ages four and five, have been significantly affected, often waking up from nightmares and crying out for their mother.
Artis was subsequently arrested and charged with First Degree Murder. In September 2024, he pled guilty to the crime. On November 20, 2024, Artis was sentenced to 72 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Chief Judge Katherine Gorman. During the highly emotional sentencing hearing, Judge Gorman addressed Artis, stating that everyone in the courtroom had been affected by his conduct and that he had no one to blame but himself. Artis must serve 100% of his sentence. The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorneys Dave Gast and Brian Fitzsimons.
