Lombard Woman Sentenced to 26 Years for Strangling Mother to Death

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin announced today that a Lombard woman accused of killing her mother in 2018 has been sentenced to twenty-six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Stephanie DeFalco, 29, (d.o.b. 6/18/1989) formerly of 197 Grace Street, appeared in court this morning where Judge Jeffrey MacKay handed down the sentence.

On March 20, 2018, at approximately 6:25 p.m., officers with the Lombard Police Department responded to a call at 197 Grace Street, a home DeFalco shared with her mother, Judith. Upon their arrival, officers found Judith DeFalco, 61, deceased in her bedroom.

Through their investigation into the death the Lombard Police Department learned that at some point in time on March 20, 2018, Stephanie and Judith DeFalco were both home when an argument began. Ultimately, the argument turned physical and Stephanie DeFalco strangled her mother to death. Following the murder, DeFalco stole her mother’s phone, jewelry and car and fled the scene. She was taken into custody the following day.

On March 23, 2018, DeFalco appeared in Bond Court where her bond was set at $3 million with 10% to apply. She has remained in custody at the DuPage County Jail since that time. On April 3, 2019, DeFalco entered a plea of guilty to one count of First Degree Murder.

“After taking responsibility for the murder of her mother Judith, Stephanie DeFalco now finds herself facing the next twenty-six years of her life behind bars,” Berlin said. “This was a horrible case that only serves as a reminder that domestic violence can take many forms. Arguments can become heated and unfortunately, turn physical and even deadly, as we saw in this case. I offer Judith’s surviving family and friends my sincere condolences on the loss of the love and friendship she provided them. I would like to thank the Lombard Police Department for their work on this very sad case as well as the Woodridge Police Department for their assistance. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Jim Scaliatine and Tom Minser for their efforts in preparing a strong case against Stephanie DeFalco.”

DeFalco will be required to serve 100% of her sentence.