An Elmwood Park man is charged with fatally stabbing a coworker Sunday evening during an argument in the kitchen of a Portage Park restaurant, leaving its staff “devastated” about the loss of its chef.
Jesus Martinez, 37, is charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of 35-year-old Cory Neill at the Foundation Tavern and Grille, 5007 W. Irving Park Rd., authorities said.
Chicago police said the incident began as an argument that turned physical.
Witnesses heard yelling and then allegedly saw Martinez standing on top of a man, repeatedly stabbing him with a knife, including in the head, police said.
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Officers arrived at 6:50 p.m. and found Martinez still holding a knife, police said. The officers ordered him to drop it, which he did, police said. He was arrested and is due for a bail hearing Wednesday.
Neill, of suburban Stickney, was rushed to Illinois Masonic Medical Center and pronounced dead, the medical examiner’s office said. An autopsy ruled his death a homicide.
The restaurant’s owners said in a Facebook post it was “devastated” to announce the death of its chef, Cory Neill.
“He was always cooking with a smile and brightening the days of all of those who had the pleasure of spending time with him,” the restaurant owners said in the post.
The owners said they closed the restaurant on Tuesday in remembrance of Neill.
“He was truly passionate about his craft and was always looking for ways to improve the kitchen and the establishment as a whole. Our family will not be the same without Cory.”
An online fundraiser raised more than $4,000 by Wednesday afternoon to pay for funeral expenses.
