Bio

Nicole M. Abusharif was born on September 14, 1980. She is an American who lived in Villa Park, Illinois.

She worked for a company in Des Plaines that sold and installed security cameras. She also volunteered at Range of Motion, a program that helps adults with disabilities.

Abusharif lived with Rebecca Klein for several years as her domestic partner. Her family includes her parents and a brother.

Murder Story

On March 17, 2007, Villa Park police discovered Rebecca "Becky" Klein's body in the trunk of a 1966 Ford Mustang the couple owned. Police found her bound with duct tape, gagged with a bandana, blindfolded, and suffocated with a plastic bag over her head. Villa Park officers believe Klein was killed on March 15, 2007.

Nicole Abusharif reported Klein missing the day before the body was found. Four days after the body was discovered, Abusharif was charged with first-degree murder and concealing a homicide. Police said they found fingerprints on the duct tape and plastic bag that matched Abusharif. Forensic testing also found Abusharif's DNA on the bandana.

Police and prosecutors said Abusharif had been involved with another woman, Rose Sodaro, whom she met on MySpace. Prosecutors said Abusharif went out with Sodaro the night Klein was killed, went bowling, and later returned to the Villa Park home with Sodaro. Sodaro testified that she believed Klein was Abusharif's roommate, not her life partner.

Prosecutors said Abusharif stood to gain about $400,000 from insurance and savings if Klein disappeared. They presented evidence of fingerprints and DNA linking Abusharif to the items used to restrain and suffocate Klein. Abusharif admitted to lying during the police investigation, according to trial testimony.

Robert L. Edwards, a co-worker of Abusharif's, was charged with obstructing justice for lying about his whereabouts during the investigation. Edwards was convicted of obstruction and sentenced to 75 days at a DuPage County work camp. Police said Edwards admitted he and Abusharif used drugs together and discussed sexual fantasies, but he was not charged in Klein's murder.

Abusharif was indicted on first-degree murder charges and held on bond. She was released on bond, placed on home confinement, and later returned to jail briefly after violating her bail terms. Her jury trial began on April 20, 2009. Rose Sodaro and members of Klein's family testified. Abusharif also testified and admitted she had lied to police and others.

Abusharif's defense argued she had physical limitations and could not have overpowered Klein. The defense also argued the killing was not premeditated. On May 5, 2009, after about thirteen hours of jury deliberation, a jury convicted Abusharif of first-degree murder. Judge John Kinsella sentenced her to 50 years in prison. She must serve 100 percent of the sentence before being eligible for parole. The Illinois Appellate Court affirmed her conviction on March 4, 2011.