Peoria, IL: Worker stabbed at TitleMax dies

PEORIA —
A woman who was stabbed when her colleague's estranged husband came to their workplace as part of a domestic dispute Friday has died.

Mary Sue Roberts, 27, of 318 S. Sterling Ave., Apt. 6A, was pronounced dead at 2 a.m. Saturday in the intensive care unit at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, according to Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll.

Roberts was working at TitleMax, 3308 N. University St., at 2:45 p.m. Friday when Kenon Allen, 30, allegedly entered the store and started a confrontation with his estranged wife, Traci Allen.

Both Roberts and Traci Allen were stabbed, and the suspect fled the store. Kenon Allen surrendered at the Peoria County Jail within an hour.

Roberts died from a stab wound to the chest, according to preliminary results of an autopsy performed Saturday, Ingersoll said. Traci Allen was not listed as a patient at St. Francis on Saturday night, according to a nursing supervisor.

A woman who identified herself as Roberts' aunt in an email to the Journal Star called her niece "the heroine that never should have been."

"As I think back I realize that Mary was a woman who stood for what she believed in and acted on it," Cindy Stevens said. "Never one to stand back is what brought her to her destiny. She gave her life trying to protect her friend against violence."

Roberts was engaged and had three children. Stevens called her a "beautiful, vibrant niece."

"Everyone has a purpose in life and although I'm just a small voice I believe Mary's might have been to help the good compete with the evil," Stevens said. "The pain is raw and the wound will never close."

Roberts' mother and stepfather declined to comment when reached at their home Saturday.

Traci Allen and Kenon Allen had a history of domestic violence, and Traci Allen had twice procured orders of protection against her husband in the last year. According to court documents, Kenon Allen had attempted to commit suicide in the TitleMax location last month.

Allen remained in custody at the Peoria County Jail on Saturday night but had not yet made an appearance before a judge or been formally charged. He likely will appear in bonding court Sunday.


Matt Buedel can be reached at 686-3154 or mbuedel@pjstar.com. Justin Glawe contributed to this report.