Man Accused of Killing Father, History of Domestic Violence

An Arlington Heights man called police and told them he had killed his father, 69-year old Stuart Cole. The Chicago Tribune reports that the unidentified son had an extensive record of domestic violence and had threatened to kill his parents before.

The killing of Stuart Cole can be described as the culmination of a long history of threats and domestic violence by the obviously disturbed son. The Tribune reports that over the years Arlington Heights police had responded to numerous domestic violence complaints by Cole and his wife against their son. In fact, since 2000, the son has been arrested multiple times for domestic battery, battery, and aggravated assault.

As recently as 2007, Stuart Cole took out an order of protection against his son after he threatened to kill his parents and himself. According to court documents, the son allegedly threw a pair of pliers at his father before threatening to stab him, his mother, and then kill himself. But after the order expired, Cole allowed his son to move back into his house.

It's not reported whether Stuart Cole or his wife had filed any other protective orders or restraining orders against their son. It's also uncertain whether these orders would have prevented the tragic killing.

However, many victims of domestic violence do file temporary restraining orders (TROs). TROs may deter abuse, but they also makes arresting the abuser a lot easier for police. The terms of the TRO and are usually clear and menacing phone calls, threats of physical violence, stalking, or other violations of the TRO can lead to arrest.

Many may not think of parents as being the victims of domestic abuse. However, this type of abuse is all too common. As with other victims of domestic abuse, parents and elderly victims can take steps to prevent and stop the abuse, including seeking protective and restraining orders.

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