Investigators said Caitlynn Girkin gave changing accounts after Adolfo Cazares was found shot inside their shared Creve Coeur home.
PEKIN, Ill. — A former Creve Coeur police officer faces three counts of first-degree murder after authorities accused her of fatally shooting her roommate in March and changing her account of the shooting during interviews with investigators.
Caitlynn J. Girkin was arrested July 7 in connection with the death of 29-year-old Adolfo Cazares, according to court and jail records cited by local news organizations. Cazares was found with a gunshot wound inside the home he shared with Girkin in the 500 block of Roosevelt Road in Creve Coeur. Girkin has not been convicted, and the allegations against her remain subject to court proceedings.
Authorities said Girkin called police shortly after 2 a.m. March 10 and initially reported that Cazares had shot himself with her personal firearm. Officers found him unresponsive in a hallway outside Girkin’s bedroom. Emergency workers tried to save him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Illinois State Police took control of the investigation because Girkin was employed by the Creve Coeur Police Department at the time. She was off duty when the shooting occurred, authorities said. Creve Coeur Police Chief Justin Egan later identified Girkin as a former officer, though officials did not publicly detail when or under what circumstances her employment ended.
A probable cause affidavit described several accounts Girkin allegedly gave investigators. During an interview on the day of the shooting, Girkin initially said Cazares entered her bedroom carrying her gun and that it discharged as she tried to take it from him, according to reports based on the court document.
Investigators alleged that Girkin later said she believed Cazares intended to shoot himself. She reportedly told police that she reached for the firearm and heard it discharge during a struggle. Authorities said parts of her account changed during the interview, including her description of Cazares’ clothing and how the gun fired.
During another interview more than a month later, Girkin allegedly told investigators that the firearm had been on her nightstand when Cazares entered the room. She said he pulled down his pants, tried to touch her leg and moved toward her before she picked up the gun and shot him, according to the affidavit as described by local news outlets.
Girkin reportedly said she feared Cazares intended to sexually assault her. Investigators noted that she had given different information during her first interview, including an account that the two had previously had a consensual sexual relationship and that he had not made a sexual advance toward her that night. Prosecutors have cited the differing statements as part of their case, but the defense has not yet presented its evidence or arguments in court.
Investigators also learned that Girkin had sent Cazares Snapchat messages shortly before the shooting, according to court documents. Authorities said one message showed her holding the firearm to her head. Reports said Girkin told investigators that Cazares went to her room after receiving the messages.
Girkin appeared by video from the Tazewell County Jail for an initial court hearing July 9. She told the court she planned to hire a private attorney. A public defender appointed for the initial proceeding said additional time was needed to review a large amount of evidence, and the detention hearing was postponed.
Girkin was scheduled to return to Tazewell County court July 16. She remained jailed as the case moved forward. Prosecutors had not announced a trial date, and no plea had been reported as of Friday.