Police say man stabbed 3 before killing himself in murder-suicide

A 27-year-old man stabbed three people at a home in Worth Friday before turning the knife on himself in what police described as a murder-suicide.

Kyle Palakaitis, of Oak Lawn, had been helping clean up for a party at an acquaintance’s home in the 7400 block of 114th Place when he attacked the man with a kitchen knife, police Chief Tim Denton said.

When police responded to the home at about 2:22 p.m., they found the victim, 56-year-old Robert Schadt, dead inside with multiple stab wounds and three others, including Palakaitis, injured, the chief said.

Officers attempted lifesaving measures on Palakaitis, who suffered a self-inflicted stab wound to his chest, but he died of his injuries at the scene, Denton said.

The other two victims were treated for their injuries at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and released, police said.

Denton identified one surviving victim as the mother of Palakaitis’ girlfriend and the other as a male acquaintance.

He said Schadt was the ex-husband of the female victim.

Palakaitis’ girlfriend declined comment when reached by phone Tuesday.

She posted Facebook tributes to both Schadt, whom she called a “great father figure,” and Palakaitis, “for being a great father” to their young son.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t help you,” she wrote to

Palakaitis in a post that stressed the importance of mental health awareness. “We will always remember you and miss you like crazy.”

Police have not been able to establish any clear motive for the attack, which occurred several hours after Palakaitis arrived at the home.

His blood toxicology report is pending.

Denton said it was possible the attack was premeditated, but that the multiple kitchen knives he used were easily accessible inside the home and did not belong to him.

The chief said police had not previously responded to any calls for service at Schadt’s home regarding Palakaitis.

According to an online obituary, Palakaitis had a son and a daughter on the way.