Illinois Man Kills His Girlfriend and Himself Thinking They Had Coronavirus

An Illinois man shot and killed his girlfriend before turning the gun on himself because he believed they had contracted COVID-19. Last week, Will County sheriff's deputies were called to perform a welfare check at a home in Lockport Township, which is about 30 miles southwest of Chicago.

When officers arrived, the doors and windows were locked, and nobody responded when they knocked. They had to force their way into the home and found the bodies of Patrick Jesernik, 54, and Cheryl Schriefer, 59, in separate rooms.

Police said that Jesernik shot Schriefer in the head with a revolver and then took his own life. Family members told investigators that Schriefer was having difficulty breathing and had been tested for COVID-19. While Schriefer did not receive the results of the test before she was killed, Jesernik believed that both of them had contracted the virus.

Officials said that the autopsy reports confirmed that neither of them had COVID-19.

To keep up to date on the latest news about the coronavirus and to understand what you need to stay safe and healthy, check out the Coronavirus: Fact vs. Fiction podcast from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.


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