Charges filed in Addison double murder

February 28, 2006 (WLS) -- Police describe a suburban man charged with two counts of first degree murder as a cold blooded killer. Gary Schuning is accused of stabbing his mother to death and then killing a woman hired from an escort service.

Schuning is in the hospital. Police say he tried to kill himself.

Charges are also filed against the man who allegedly arranged to have the escort taken to Schuning's home. Police are still looking for him.

Authorities say Schuning was conscious when paramedics arrived on Sunday morning. That was after the murders and the alleged suicide attempt. They say he made several statements which will likely be used as evidence if this case goes to trial.

Schuning was listed in serious condition Tuesday night here at Loyola Medical Center in Maywood. Meanwhile, Addison police remained camped outside the crime scene, the home where 23-year-old Gary Schuning lived with his mother. It is the home where police say he stabbed her to death early Sunday morning.

"It's alleged in these charges that following a night of partying, the defendant returned to his house where he had an argument with his mother, Doris. During the course of the argument, the defendant pulled a knife on his mother, stabbed her, causing her death," said Joe Birkett, DuPage County state's attorney.

Forty-year-old Doris Pagliaro was Schuning's mother. Police discovered her body where investigators believe he tried to hide it. After her murder, Schuning called an escort service. But when Kristi Hoenig got there, she grew suspicious.

"It's believed there was a substantial time gap between Doris's murder and then the arrival of Kristie Hoenig," said Birkett.

Hoenig was employed as an escort and has a history of convictions for prostitution. She lived in a downtown high rise. Investigators say, before her death, she called her alleged pimp, Jesse Miser, from the home. He then called 911.

Police are now looking for 43-year-old Miser, the owner of the escort service. They have charged him with pandering, a felony.

"The price for this young woman's life was $1,220," said Birkett.

Schuning's neighbors have watched as investigators have been at the home for three days now.

"It's crazy, because I would never expect him to kill his mom," said Giovanni Perez, neighbor.

State's attorney Birkett says Hoenig's mother told him that she hopes that her daughter's death will serve as a lesson to women about how dangerous a life in prostitution can be. He says he is considering pursuing the death penalty for Schuning.

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