Prosecutors: Naperville Man Was Killed By New Roommate
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (STMW) -- What started with a Craigslist ad for a new roommate ended with murder on a quiet street in west surburban Naperville, DuPage County prosecutors said Saturday.
Grant Muren allegedly strangled Charles Clark after the pair had a sexual encounter and got into an argument a mere eight hours after Muren moved into Clark's townhouse in the suburb's Estes Park neighborhood this week.
At some point, Muren struck the computer technician on the head with a table, then strangled him to death, authorities said.
What started with a Craigslist ad for a new roommate ended with murder on a quiet street in west surburban Naperville, DuPage County prosecutors said Saturday.
Grant Muren allegedly strangled Charles Clark after the pair had a sexual encounter and got into an argument a mere eight hours after Muren moved into Clark's townhouse in the suburb's Estes Park neighborhood this week.
At some point, Muren struck the computer technician on the head with a table, then strangled him to death, authorities said.
Muren, 21, then removed his personal belongings from the home and attempted to burn a lease agreement the men had drafted after Muren answered an ad Clark posted on Craigslist seeking a roommate, prosecutors said. Before leaving, prosecutors allege Muren turned on the gas to the stove and opened the oven door in an attempt to make the 55-year-old Clark's death appear to be either an accident or a suicide.
Clark, who was discovered by his girlfriend on Wednesday, had contusions on his face and head and the tip of his right thumb appeared to have been bitten off, prosecutors said.
The charred lease in Clark's home led investigators to Muren, who was pulled over by police during a traffic stop on Thursday. He agreed to speak with investigators, and allegedly confessed to killing Clark.
Muren was ordered held in lieu of $2 million bail at the DuPage County Courthouse Saturday.
Muren's attorney said he held part-time jobs, and finished some college. He was "trying to find his way."
According to prosecutors, Muren has past arrests for domestic battery, as well as juvenile convictions for burglary and criminal damage to property.
An order of protection against Muren filed by a former roommate was granted in July 2013, prosecutors said. They would not elaborate where that order was filed, or provide details about what led to the filing.
Meanwhile, neighbors in the normally quiet area where Clark lived were stunned at the news of the killing.
"I talked to him a few times during the summer," said one of his neighbors, who declined to be identified. "He was very respectful to me and my family. It's definitely a shock."
The neighbor said that Clark stood about 6-foot 4 inches tall and that he believed he grew up in Chicago.
Others described Clark as being very nice and a good neighbor.
An online search showed a Charles Clark living at the Vail Court address and operating a business there called Angels Computers.
Another online posting stated Angels Computers deals in the "sale of new/used computer systems."
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2014. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
