Homicides Shocked Darien, Woodridge Residents in 2012

Three senseless crimes resulted in shocking murders this year in the Darien and Woodridge area.

Two of them allegedly came at the hands of jealous ex-boyfriends, one who was accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and another accused of killing his ex's new boyfriend.

The other, the drive-by shooting of a Hinsdale South graduate, rocked an apartment complex in nearby Willowbrook. Here's the details of these horrible tragedies from 2012: 

Joseph Spitalli, 34, of Darien, was charged in November with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated kidnapping. Police say he slit the throat of his ex-girlfriend's boyfriend, then kidnapped Darien resident Kristina Baltrimaviciene, 28, who previously dated Spitalli.

DuPage County Court records show that Baltrimaviciene filed an order of protection against Spitalli on Sept. 11, but it was denied by a judge Oct. 2. 

Retaliation Over Hinsdale South Grad's Shooting a Concern for Apartment Community

Joshua Holmes, 18, was gunned down in September in an apparent drive-by shooting in the Hinsdale Lake Terrace community. Holmes, a Hinsdale South graduate, was loved by many. 

After Holmes' death, members of the community spoke out about security issues there and said they feared retaliation. 

Alyssa Van Meter, a beloved tow truck driver, was killed in December 2012. Police say her ex-boyfriend was the person who committed the crime. 

Adam Belmont, 23, of Northlake, was charged with the murder and sexual assault of Van Meter. 

Police say Belmont went to Van Meter's apartment at about 9 p.m. that evening and climbed through a window in her balcony. It's alleged that Belmont choked Van Meter until she was unconscious, then stabbed her one time in the heart. Belmont is also accused of sexually assaulting the woman after stabbing her.