Wife runs from husband trying to kill her, then lawn worker steps in, IL cops say

An Illinois man is accused of trying to kill his wife but was stopped when she ran outside and a lawn care worker stepped in, according to police.

Cody J. Romano, 34, was arrested following the Aug. 20 incident, in which Buffalo Grove police say he tried to suffocate his 29-year-old wife, the department said in a Sept. 3 news release.

At about 11 a.m., Romano attacked his wife inside their home, smothering her with a pillow and saying he was going to kill her, police said.

But the woman was able to get away from Romano, and she ran out of the home and toward a nearby lawn care worker, according to police. Police say the worker protected her from Romano as Romano came outside and tried to pull her back into the house.

There was a short struggle and then Romano left the scene, police said.

However, he later returned and was taken into custody by officers, police said.

Romano had a medical episode and was taken to a hospital, then released eight days later and taken to the Buffalo Grove Police Department, the release said.

Romano is facing charges including attempted murder and aggravated domestic battery, and he is being held until a pre-trial hearing scheduled for Sept. 23, police said.

Buffalo Grove is a roughly 30-mile drive northwest from downtown Chicago.

This story was originally published September 3, 2025 at 4:12 PM with the headline "Wife runs from husband trying to kill her, then lawn worker steps in, IL cops say."