On February 13, 2023, Clarice Alexander, a 41-year-old mother of seven, was found dead in an alleyway of a Hanover Park apartment complex in Illinois. The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. in the 1300 block of Court P, near Montibello Drive, an area that connects the housing complex to a nearby school and daycare. Neighbors reported hearing several gunshots, with one witness, Henry Jarosinski, describing the sounds as 'real loud and fast,' totaling six gunshots.
Clarice Alexander had
been shot and killed, and her body was discovered by residents who were out walking their dogs or heading to work. The shooting took place on a pathway frequently used by children walking to school, although fortunately, it did not occur during peak hours when children would have been present.
The investigation led Hanover Park police to issue an arrest warrant for 43-year-old William N. Taylor, who had a previous romantic relationship with Clarice Alexander. Alexander's family reported that she had been harassed by Taylor and had filed a restraining order against him. Despite her efforts to seek protection, including multiple calls to the police reporting Taylor's stalking and harassment, the situation escalated to her murder.
Taylor was considered armed and extremely dangerous by the police. However, before he could be apprehended, Taylor suffered a medical emergency in Holland, Michigan. He was hospitalized there and later airlifted to a hospital in Grand Rapids for advanced treatment. Unfortunately, Taylor died at the hospital later that day, thus avoiding any potential trial or further legal proceedings related to Alexander's murder.
Clarice Alexander's death has had a profound impact on her family, particularly her seven children and one grandchild. Her daughters have spoken out about the harassment their mother endured and the failure of the system to protect her. The family has started a GoFundMe campaign to help them cope with the loss and has urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the police.
