Suspect's Erratic Behavior, Recorded Conversation Led to Arrest

By Anthonia Akitunde in News on Mar 8, 2009 9:30PM

After prosecutors described what they believed were the machinations of the woman suspected of killing Shaun Gayle's, an ex-Bears player, pregnant girlfriend on Wednesday, details of the suspect's life prior to and after the 2007 murder are coming to light. Marni Kay Yang, 41, the accused killer, had shown a pattern of jealousy and possessive and erratic behavior before she was charged with the murder of seven-months pregnant Rhoni Reuter, 42, and her unborn daughter, already named Skylar.

On Thursday authorities said threatening letters and e-mails were sent to Gayle's girlfriends in spring of 2006, including Yang and Reuter. Monika Kurowska, one of Gayle's exes, was originally believed to be behind the letters but Gayle's attorney and authorities now say those letters were clearly sent by Yang.

In 1998 a Chicago police officer filed an emergency order of protection against Yang after he said she sent him and his wife threatening letters. Yang also filed an order of protection the same year against the officer, claiming she had a romantic relationship with the officer and that he threatened to ruin her chances at becoming a police officer.

Yang's ex-husband and the father of her three children, Yen Yang, said he noticed erratic and possessive behavior in their courtship. A source told the Tribune threatened suicide if they broke up and followed him to his classes and volleyball games. He said their marriage ended after her affairs with other men.

Photographer Len Dorman said in 2006 Yang claimed to be a big-time real estate broker and model at a real estate seminar. Dorman said Yang agreed to let him photograph her for his Eeb site, even though he could only offer her $100. He said during their one-hour photo shoot, Yang did not appear to be dangerous though he was confused by her unwillingness to discuss Chicago real estate and her claim of being "over invested" in the market during its heyday .

But how did investigators come to finally arrest Yang? More after the jump.

A tapped cell phone conversation between murder Yang and her friend led to the wired conversation that would lead to Yang's arrest, ending what cops say could have been a years-long investigation into the 2007 murder of Shaun Gayle's pregnant girlfriend, Rhoni Reuter. Knowledge of the 9 mm handgun, cell phones, rental car and stolen license plates allegedly used in the slaying was just the beginning for the case against Yang, said investigators in an article in the Tribune today. But it was not enough to make an arrest.

Police needed to hear Yang describe the slaying that occurred on Oct. 4, 2007 in Reuter's Deerfield, Ill. condo. After proving all other methods had been exhausted, police were given court approval to eavesdrop on Yang's phone calls. On Feb. 27, 2009, the same day police were granted permission to eavesdrop, authorities said Yang began talking with a friend about Reuter's murder. Investigators contacted the friend and got her cooperation after revealing they thought she knew more about the slaying than she told them.

The next day, investigators received a court order to place a wire on Yang's friend. That following Monday, authorities said Yang discussed the slaying over soup at a suburban Denny's. The discussion was enough to finally arrest Yang after seven months of preparation and years of investigating.