Suspect in custody in stabbing death of Lipinski aide

A suspect was in custody in Wisconsin on Wednesday in connection with the fatal stabbing of a former state senator’s daughter in Oak Lawn. Marianne Viverito, 55, worked as an aide to U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (3rd).

She was found dead in the basement of a home in the 5100 block of West 105th Place about 3:15 a.m. Tuesday, according to Oak Lawn police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy Wednesday showed she died of multiple stab and incise wounds, and her death was ruled a homicide.

A person was being held in Wisconsin on a murder warrant issued by the Cook County state’s attorney’s office, police said. The name was withheld pending formal charges upon the suspect’s return to Illinois.

Viverito was the daughter of former state senator and current Stickney Township supervisor Lou Viverito, who told WBBM 780-AM that his 27-year-old grandson was the suspect in her death. Lou Viverito did not immediately return calls seeking comment on Wednesday.

Officers went to the home after a request for a well-being check from an out-of-state police agency concerning a woman who may have been injured in a domestic fight, police said.

When officers arrived, they found blood on the ground and inside the home, police said.

Division Chief Randy Palmer, a spokesman for the Oak Lawn Police Department, said Tuesday evening that a suspect had been identified. He declined to specify which police agency in which state called for the well-being check.

“Marianne was a beloved and trusted member of my staff, and has been a part of my team during much of my tenure in Congress,” Lipinski said in a statement. “She has helped countless of my constituents solve challenges they’ve faced with the federal government with a smile, good nature, and humor. As with me and my staff, I know that these constituents will miss her greatly.”

Police called it “an isolated incident” and said there was no danger to the public.

Ald. Mike Zalewski, whose 23rd Ward office on Archer is adjacent to Lipinski’s office, said he and his staff were “devastated” upon hearing the news of Viverito’s death.

“We’re lucky to be able to call them friends,” Zalewski said.

Oak Lawn police are investigating along with the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force.