Yorkville, IL – A Yorkville man was arrested this week in connection with an alleged murder-for-hire plot to kill his former wife. Mark A. Hellenthal, 52, was taken into custody on April 10th, 2025, after being charged with Solicitation of Murder, a Class X felony, following an investigation by the Yorkville Police Department.
Authorities were alerted to the plot on April 9th when Hellenthal reportedly attempted to hire an individual to kill his ex-wife. The suspect provided the individual with specific details about the victim’s residence and access points. Upon learning of the allegations, Yorkville Police acted quickly to ensure the victim’s safety during the investigation.
The next day, on April 10th, an undercover officer posing as a hitman contacted Hellenthal. During the conversation, Hellenthal allegedly offered cash and jewelry as payment for the murder. After confirming the arrangements, law enforcement officers, with the assistance of the Kendall County Cooperative Police Assistance Team (CPAT), located Hellenthal at his workplace in Downers Grove, where he was arrested.
Hellenthal was transported to the Kendall County Jail and remains in custody, awaiting a detention hearing scheduled for April 11th, 2025.
Hellenthal is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The burden of proof rests with the prosecution to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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