Kenosha Woman Killed in Alleged Domestic Abuse Case

Boyfriend says victim was trying to leave abusive marriage before her death

Apr. 4, 2026 at 1:51am

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An extreme close-up of a bloodied kitchen knife, the harsh flash creating a stark, gritty image that conceptually represents the violence and tragedy of this domestic homicide case.A brutal act of domestic violence exposes systemic failures in protecting vulnerable victims.Kenosha Today

A Kenosha woman was found stabbed to death in her home earlier this week, and her boyfriend says she had been trying to leave an abusive marriage with her estranged husband, who has now been charged with first-degree intentional homicide.

Why it matters

This tragic case highlights the challenges and dangers domestic violence victims can face when trying to escape abusive relationships, as well as potential failures in the legal system to adequately protect them.

The details

Prosecutors have accused Marckus Plaza of stabbing his estranged wife, Makayla Plaza, to death with their children in the home on April 1. Marckus allegedly slammed the door when officers showed up for a welfare check, dragged Makayla's body to the basement, and fled. He was arrested the next day after a manhunt, injuring himself with a knife during the arrest and leaving two officers with minor injuries.

  • On March 31, Makayla expressed to her boyfriend Korey Williams that she had a 'bad feeling something was going to happen'.
  • In February, Makayla filed for divorce and also petitioned for a restraining order against Marckus, but it was dismissed by a court commissioner.
  • In late February, Marckus assaulted Korey Williams, leading to his arrest for battery, though he was later bailed out.

The players

Marckus Plaza

The estranged husband of Makayla Plaza, who has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide for allegedly stabbing her to death.

Makayla Plaza

A Kenosha woman who was found stabbed to death in her home, and had been trying to leave an abusive marriage with her estranged husband Marckus.

Korey Williams

Makayla's boyfriend, who said he helped her petition for a restraining order against Marckus and that the 'whole system failed her' in protecting Makayla from the abuse.

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What they’re saying

“There were physical altercations.”

— Korey Williams, Makayla's Boyfriend

“Before we went to bed that night, and she says, 'I have a bad feeling something is going to happen,'”

— Korey Williams, Makayla's Boyfriend

“The whole system failed her.”

— Korey Williams, Makayla's Boyfriend

What’s next

Marckus Plaza is being held on $750,000 bond and is awaiting trial for the first-degree intentional homicide charge.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the urgent need for stronger legal protections and support systems to help domestic violence victims safely escape abusive relationships, as well as the devastating consequences when the system fails to do so.