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Woman Charged In Ex-Husband's Highway Worksite Murder Initially Thought To Be Car Accident
Alexis Stallman allegedly showed up at Edward Stallman's Illinois Department of Transportation worksite after child custody hearing and the two had an altercation that ended in his death.
A woman is accused of murdering her ex-husband just hours after the pair appeared in court for a child custody hearing.
Alexis Stallman, 41, is charged with the murder of Edward Stallman, whose July 20 death was initially investigated as a car accident at a highway construction zone in Murphysboro, Illinois — about 100 miles southeast of St. Louis, Missouri — according to CBS affiliate KFVS-TV. Officials believe Alexis stabbed Edward, who worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), following an altercation at the victim’s worksite.
She has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and aggravated domestic battery, according to court records reviewed by Oxygen.com.
Officials with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene of a car accident at around 10:50 a.m. at the corner of Highway 127 and Ava Road, according to ABC Harrisburg affiliate WSIL-TV. A section of the roadway was deemed a work zone, and IDOT crew members were working on ongoing construction.
Witnesses on the scene said that Alexis Stallman had arrived at the site and and engaged in a heated altercation with her ex-husband, according to Chicago’s WGN-TV. Edward Stallman then reportedly got into his car in an attempt to get away from his ex-wife before crashing his vehicle a short time later.
A bystander administered CPR on Edward Stallman until responders arrived, according to KFVS-TV, while Alexis Stallman allegedly fled the scene in her own vehicle, according to the Chicago outlet.
First responders found at least one puncture wound on Edward’s chest that wasn’t consistent with injuries sustained in the car accident, according to the station.
“Originally, we thought that Mr. Stallman’s injuries were related to the traffic crash,” Jackson County State’s Attorney Joe Cervantez told KFVS-TV. “We found later through investigation that there was a serious altercation that led to the murder charges against Stallman’s ex-wife.”
Cervantez told reporters there was some “confusion” about whether the stabbing occurred inside or outside the vehicle.
Edward Stallman was rushed to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Cervantez told WSIL-TV that Edward was a “good father” who reported to work that day, per usual.
According to Jackson County court records obtained by Oxygen.com, Edward Stallman had filed for divorce from Alexis Stallman in August 2020. Both parties appeared in court on the morning of Edward Stallman’s death for a pre-trial hearing ahead of a July 28 trial over custody of their minor child.
The case was subsequently dismissed in light of the death.
Oxygen.com reached out to IDOT for a response to the death of their employee.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of a colleague, and our thoughts and sympathies go out to all of those impacted," said Public Information Officer Paul Wappel. "The Illinois Department of Transportation is cooperating with law enforcement in its investigation and refer any requests to the Office of the Jackson County Sheriff."
Alexis Stallman was arrested on Thursday without incident at her Herrin, Illinois, home after witnesses identified her to authorities, according to WGN-TV. She is being held at the Jackson County jail on $2 million bond and is expected to appear for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 9.
