William R. Zientek charged with murder in Barrington, killing endocrinologist, Vernon Hills woman, Dr. Olga Duchon, was shot

BARRINGTON, Ill. (WLS) — A 46-year-old Barrington man has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a respected endocrinologist in the northern suburbs this weekend, police said.

William R. Zientek has been charged, Barrington police said Tuesday. He lives on the same block where the incident occurred.

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Dr. Olga Duchon, 42, of Vernon Hills spoke to a Ukrainian medical association in Wheeling Sunday afternoon.

Her family planned to celebrate after the event.

They said Duchon told them she planned to stop first to talk to her young daughter’s father.

They never heard from her again.

“She said, ‘Ladies, just keep going. Wait for me. I have to stop for a moment and then I’ll join you.’ And she never did that,” said Yuliya Abushevich, a family friend of 20 years.

Duchon went to a townhome in the 400 block of West Russell Street in Barrington.

Police were called to the home around 5:40 PM on Sunday.

Duchon had been shot in the chest.

She died shortly afterwards in a nearby hospital.

Local residents saw a man being arrested on Sunday.

Officers apparently also removed a child from the home.

Abushevich said she and Duchon immigrated to the United States from Ukraine around the same time in the early 2000s.

“Worked multiple jobs, focusing on her medical training, became a doctor here and also supported her family, her mother and father,” Abushevich said.

Duchon leaves behind an almost four-year-old daughter.

“I just can’t believe that we are preparing together for her birthday, that she won’t be here for that. She was a wonderful mother, who always read, always took her to museums and raised her beyond her years,” Abushevich said. said.

Dr. Maria Hrycelak said Duchon was only scheduled to speak for about 40 minutes on Sunday, but she gave an hour and a half of her time.

“She was knowledgeable to the max, I mean she was so interactive with the audience,” Hrycelak said.

She said they broke up at 4 p.m

“Then, an hour and a half later, she is tragically murdered. I mean, it’s mind-blowing. Everyone who was there was just stunned, because the connection you got in that hour and a half of her talking was just, I can’t explain.” it,” Hrycelak said.

Barrington police classified the shooting as a domestic incident and said the general public is not at risk.

Barrington police say the investigation continues and have not provided any details about what led to the shooting.

They have not confirmed if anyone remains in custody, but said Zientek is expected to appear in court on Wednesday.

The Cook County Major Crimes Task Force is also investigating.

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