Man Charged with Murdering Northwest side Woman

ROCKFORD - Neighbors are shocked.

"It's unreal, the neighborhood has had a lot of problems going on in this neighborhood," said Rockford northwest side resident Lindy Boone.

Boone says vandalism and theft are common problems in this northwest side neighborhood, and now so is murder.

Police have charged 36-year-old Kurk Knutson with four counts of first degree murder for allegedly attacking and killing his girlfriend, 27-year-old Samantha Therriault two weeks ago.

Police say it happened at their home in 2300 block of Bedlen Street on Rockford's northwest side.

"There were several marks all over her body," said Rockford Police Lieutenant Marc Welsh.

Initial reports are that Knutson called police to report his girlfriend had been attacked by a group of girls and was unconscious.

"There is a lot of information out there about the original call," said Welsh.  "Right now were keeping that information close to the investigation, not releasing much more for details."

But Welsh would say that Knutson is the only person charged in the case.

"Well continue interviewing other potential witnesses and other people that may add further information to the investigation," said Welsh.

Even though police believe this is an isolated incident.  It's just another reason for Boone to travel around her neighborhood with a guard dog, literally. 

"He's my protector, he loves everybody but he ain't going to let anybody hurt me," said Boone.  "I need him to walk this neighborhood, I used to be able to walk around all the time and let my kids out and run around and stuff, but no not anymore."

Police say Knutson was already in jail on paraphernalia charges when he was served his new first degree murder charges.

Police say the paraphernalia charges came while police were at his home investigating Therriaults death two weeks ago.