Cahokia, IL: Cahokia teen charged in razor knife slashing death of his girlfriend

BY CAROLYN P. SMITH
News-Democrat

A 19-year-old Cahokia man was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder in the slashing death Sunday of his teenage girlfriend.

Kyle R. Starks, of 401 St. Thomas Lane, is accused of using a razor knife in the killing 18-year-old Tyra Whittaker, of 5423 Rosemont Ave. in Washington Park. St. Clair County Coroner Rick Stone said Whittaker's throat was slashed and she bled to death.

Police Chief Richard Watson said investigators believe Whittaker was at 401 St. Thomas Lane, where Starks lived with his parents, to break off her relationship with him. The couple had been going together for a while, Watson said.

Police received a call at 9:39 p.m. Sunday to go to the residence. The caller, who police said was not the suspect, told police something tragic had happened.

Starks and Whittaker's body were both at the residence when police arrived. Whittaker was pronounced dead at 11:58 p.m. Sunday. Police led Starks away from the house in handcuffs.

The warrant charging Starks with first-degree murder accuses him of slashing Whittaker's neck. His bail is set at $1 million.

"These are two young people, good people, who've not been in trouble with the law," Watson said. "But there were some mistakes made here."

Asked whether Starks has shown any remorse, Watson said, "He has."

In regard to Whittaker's breaking off the relationship with Starks, Watson said, "I think they were talking about it that night."

Asked whether Starks had confessed, Watson said he was cooperating. He told reporters that "two families are tragically affected by this needless death."
Contact reporter Carolyn P. Smith at 239-2503.