Gilford Sentenced to 100 Years

The press release below is from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. The Patch article on the sentencing is forthcoming. In the meantime:

Eric Gilford Sentenced to 100 Years for Murder of Wife and Unborn Child

  WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin announced today that Judge Kathryn Creswell sentenced Eric Gilford, 32, formerly of Downers Grove, to 100 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the 2010 stabbing death of his wife, Kristine Gilford, and their unborn child. On June 10, 2011 Gilford entered a plea of guilty to First Degree Murder and Murder of an Unborn Child.            

On May 26, 2010, Gilford entered the residence of an acquaintance located in Villa Park with the understanding that his wife was at the home. Once at the residence, Gilford, a member of the United States Navy, stabbed his pregnant wife to death and then fled the scene. The murder was witnessed by Kristine Gilford’s young daughter, who was celebrating her fourth birthday that day. The young girl was left unharmed. Gilford then fled the state. Authorities were able to charge Gilford with the murder based upon evidence gathered at the crime scene by the Villa Park Police Department. A nation-wide man hunt for Gilford ensued with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service and the United States Navy. On August 6, 2010, Gilford was apprehended by authorities in Jackson, Wyoming. At the time of his arrest Gilford was residing at a local mission under an alias name. Following his extradition to Illinois Gilford was held without bond.              

“Today Eric Gilford learned that for the brutal slaying of his wife and their unborn child, he will spend the rest of his life behind bars,” Berlin said. “In addition to the murders, Mr. Gilford’s actions also claimed another victim, the four year old daughter of Kristine, whose birthday will now serve as the anniversary of the day that her mother was viciously taken from her. I would like to thank the Villa Park Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, the United States Navy, the Teton County Wyoming Sheriff’s Office and the Teton County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Weichman for their assistance in bringing Mr. Gilford to justice. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Dave Bayer and Demetri Demopoulos for their outstanding efforts in putting Mr. Gilford behind bars where he belongs.”