Wheaton Man Pleads Guilty, Sentenced in Murder of Ex-Wife

On Friday morning, Lee Leinweber pled guilty to murdering his ex-wife, according to a DuPage County State's Attorney's Office press release. The plea was part of a deal with the State's Attorney Office, where Leinweber will serve a 50-year sentence with no possibility of parole.

Police found Erin Leinweber, 56, dead in her Wheaton home, with multiple stab wounds to the neck, broken ribs and injuries consistent with beating beaten about the face. A plastic garbage bag was stuffed in her mouth and her head was covered with two additional garbage bags, police said.

Lee Leinweber, 56, allegedly attacked his ex-wife, beating her in the face and choking her until she fell to the floor, Berlin and Wheaton Police Chief James Volpe said in a joint statement. He then "dropped his body onto hers, breaking her ribs," before forcing a plastic bag into her mouth and placing two more over her head, police said. At that point, Lee Leinweber retrieved a knife from the kitchen and repeatedly stabbed his ex-wife, according to the statement.

According to the Daily Herald, Lee stole all of his ex-wife's money and said he planned to spend the rest of his life on a Hawaiian beach. After the murder he bought alcohol, cocaine, and cigarettes and partied in a Ottawa, Illinois hotel, the prosecutor said.

Leinweber had only $1 left when he was arrested in his ex-wife's car on his way to O'Hare International Airport, according to the prosecutor.

The couple filed for separation in 2004 and the divorce was finalized in 2009. In 2016, Erin was awarded nearly $35,000 as a result of the divorce.

“Just over one month ago, Erin Leinweber was savagely murdered by her ex-husband, Lee,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. “His admission to this brutal crime and fifty-year sentence, essentially a life sentence, will not bring her back. With today’s plea and sentence it is my sincerest hope that those who loved Erin will be able to begin the healing process..."

Lee Leinweber

Photo provided by the DuPage County State's Attorney office