Chicago police are searching for a man suspected of killing an Austin mother of two who had obtained an order of protection against him weeks before her death, according to family members and court records.

Maria Roque, 34, was shot to death Dec. 13 in the 500 block of North Long Avenue in the Austin neighborhood. The Cook County medical examiner’s office ruled her death a homicide.

On Friday, police released a bulletin seeking information on the whereabouts of Kenneth Brown, 44, in connection with the shooting. Officials said the public should consider Brown armed and dangerous.

Maria’s twin brother, Andres Roque, told the Tribune that Brown had recently been in a relationship with Maria and that she had left that relationship shortly before she died.

“He broke her window, he was not leaving her alone,” he said. “She was at the police station every single day. She made so many reports. So many. I can’t even tell you.”

Cook County court records show that a judge on Nov. 7 granted an emergency order of protection to Maria, her 14-year-old son and the 8-year-old daughter she shared with Brown.

And a day before she died, records show that authorities issued a warrant for Brown’s after he allegedly violated the order of protection. The next day, the order of protection was extended and a status hearing set, court records show.

Andres said his sister was an outgoing, generous person who looked after him and their two brothers and who put her children before everything else.

He said they didn’t know about the abuse until “she openly told us and decided to leave him.”

Brown continued contacting Maria after she ended their relationship, Andres said. He estimated his sister had filed 10 police reports before she died.

Afternoon Briefing

Weekdays

Chicago Tribune editors’ top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon.

Andres said his niece and nephew witnessed Maria’s death.

“It’s just heartbreaking that they saw what happened,” he said. “Nobody wants to see how their mom died.”

Maria’s son attempted CPR on his mom, Andres said.

“He always told me, ‘I tried to save my mom,’” he said.

Her children are “doing OK,” he said. He said he has lost his best friend, whom he talked to on the phone every day.

“It’s a nightmare,” he said. “I wish it was just a nightmare.”

A fundraiser for burial expenses had garnered more than $14,000 in donations as of Friday night. Chicago police said detectives are continuing to investigate the shooting and that no one is in custody.

Originally Published: Dec 22, 2023 at 8:22 pm