Man suspected of killing Illinois family of four found dead from gunshot

The man suspected of killing a couple, their two young kids and three dogs inside their suburban Chicago home died from a gunshot wound Wednesday after crashing his car in a fiery blaze while trying to evade police.

Nathaniel Huey Jr., 31, was trying to outrun officers along in Catoosa — an Oklahoma city 650 miles from where the violent murder three days earlier.

Along with the gunman was an unnamed missing female.

Chasing officers found the pair suffering from a single gunshot wound each — Huey’s proved fatal, while the woman was rushed to a hospital in critical condition, the Romeoville Police Department said.

Both were named persons of interest within hours of police discovering the bodies of Alberto Rolon, 38, mother Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, and their two children, 10-year-old Adriel and 7-year-old Diego during a welfare check Sunday night.

The family — and their three pets — were all fatally shot in what police said was “not a random incident.”

“Evidence has shown us a nexus between our suspects and the victims as well as possible motives,” Romeoville Deputy Chief Chris Burne said at a press conference.

Investigators did not disclose any theories on what led up to the tragic murders, but previously said there was a “tremendous amount of physical evidence.”

Law enforcement believes the family of four was killed between 9 p.m. Saturday and 5 a.m. Sunday — which shocked the quiet community that was left wondering why they didn’t hear any gunshots.

Concerned family members called police after one of the victims did not report for work at 6 a.m. Sunday and didn’t reply to messages.

After identifying Huey and the unnamed woman that night, police issued a Statewide bulletin detailing his description and one for his vehicle.

Her family reported her missing Tuesday morning.

Catoosa police picked up his license plate Wednesday morning and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Huey “immediately attempted to elude the officers,” but crashed his car, causing it to erupt in flames, Romeoville police said.

“Officers on scene heard two noises, believed to be gunshots,” according to the department.

It is not clear who pulled the trigger.

Police said there is no reason to believe there are other suspects.

Investigators will continue to pour over the case, which Burne previously called the department’s “top priority.”

Loved ones said the family had just moved into the Romeoville house in April.

The two children were both students at RC Hill Elementary School, Valley View School District Superintendent Rachel Kinder said in a note to the community.  

“These were hardworking people that had just bought their first home. Their kids were the sweetest most innocent angels who could hug your worries away,” a GoFundMe page stated.

“In just a few hours their lives, their family’s lives completely changed. The world is going to be a much dimmer place without them.”