In Chicago, Illinois, days before her death, a woman from Frankfort named Kelly Jarigese sent a message to a friend on March 3, stating that a man she knew had choked her and that she needed help, fearing for her life. Six weeks after her death, the man, Decorion Matthews, a substance abuse counselor, has been charged with first-degree murder. Prosecutors allege an abusive dynamic between Jarigese, who was battling addiction, and Matthews, who had been staying with him in recent weeks.
Jarigese was found dead in Matthews’ apartment on March 7, with injuries consistent with being beaten. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office ruled her cause of death as multiple injuries due to assault, and her death was deemed a homicide. Matthews found Jarigese dead in the morning before going to work, but he did not call the police until after 5 p.m. the same day. Police noted fresh scratches on Matthews’ body, and he was arrested but released pending further investigation.
Investigators discovered that police had been called to Matthews’ home on previous occasions for disturbances, but none involved Jarigese. Matthews denied any knowledge of the circumstances leading up to Jarigese’s death when he agreed to speak with police on April 15. Jarigese, a mother of two, Frankfort native, and alum of Lincoln-Way East High School, had been battling addiction, known to those in her life. Her mother described her as a beautiful soul who fought hard to be with her children and family.
Matthews appeared in court for a pre-trial detention hearing on April 17 and was ordered held, with a next court date set for May 10. If you’d like to receive more local news updates, you can sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
