Murder Charge Filed In Chicago Slaying Of Maryland Grad Student

CHICAGO, IL — Chicago police said a 41-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of a Maryland grad student in the Loop last weekend.

Tony Robinson, who was arrested Thursday and is also suspected in similar ambush attacks on two other women, is charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery and three counts of aggravated battery in the death of 31-year-old Anat Kimchi.

Kimchi was stabbed multiple times in the upper back June 19 in the 400 block of South Wacker Drive. The attack happened around 4 p.m.

Police say Robinson was identified through surveillance footage and other evidence.

Detectives also linked Robinson to two other similar crimes, saying they believe he attacked two other women around the same area and with a similar method: approaching them from behind and striking them with an object.

Police suspect Robinson of hitting a 25-year-old woman in the back of the head on June 10 as she walked on the 500 block of South Franklin Street. A few days later, on June 13, police said they believe the same man hit a 50-year-old woman multiple times in the 0-100 block of Congress Parkway and stole her belongings before running away. Both women were hospitalized in fair condition.

Kimchi was remembered as a "brilliant young scholar" by University of Maryland officials. She received a master's degree in criminology and criminal justice from the university in 2017 and had an interest in criminal courts, sentencing and prisons, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The chair of the university's criminology and criminal justice department described her as a "notably accomplished scholar" and "remarkable woman who was beloved by family and friends."

Eileen O'Gorman, Patch Staff, contributed to this article