Police were called to the Deerfield condo complex after a neighbor heard screaming and gunfire Thursday morning. They found Reuter dead from multiple gunshot wounds inside her home.
The 42-year old was about seven months pregnant. The unborn child was killed. Police say Gayle was the unborn child's father.
The former Bears safety went to the Deerfield police station after hearing about the shooting. He talked with investigators with his attorney present. Police say Gayle is not a suspect.
"No suspect information is available at this time. Lake County Major Task Force is assisting on this investigation and following leads as they develop," said Chief John Sliozis, Deerfield Police Department.
Several detectives took a bag of evidence outside of the apartment where Reuter was shot to death early Thursday morning. They also took a bag of evidence out of Gayle's apartment in the Wicker Park neighborhood in Chicago.
They say, though, that Gayle has been cooperating throughout this investigation and they too don't label him a suspect.
According to the Chicago Tribune and court documents, Reuter was being harassed by Gayle's ex-girlfriend, Monkia Kurowska, 29. Deerfield Police said they have been able to track down that woman and, as of right now, they are not labeling her a suspect.
According to court documents, the two dated for about six months, but the relationship ended in May of 2006.
There was tension between Shaun Gayle and Kurowska, and in recent days that tension reportedly escalated.
Gayle went to court and requested a restraining order against her. He accused her of sending out emails and letters that harassed female friends of his. And in the last day or so, an attorney for Gayle went back to court and asked that this woman be held in contempt because he accused her of once again threatening female friends of Gayle's, including the murder victim.
She told the Tribune, "I have nothing to hide." She denies being behind those threatening letters and made a point of saying that she is now married and expecting a child.
Gayle's lawyer said she sent harassing emails to a charity board Gayle worked with, and he claims she would bang on the windows of his townhouse and lurk there late at night. He said in a statement to the court, "These are jeopardizing my personal and professional relationships." Court documents quote Gayle as saying Kurowska was on a "campaign of harassment against me. I have been nervous and have been unable to sleep properly."
Investigators say they expect to be working on the case throughout the weekend, and an arrest, they say, is not imminent.
Gayle released a statement Friday saying, "I am extremely devastated by the loss of Rhoni and our unborn child. She was a kind, loving and beautiful woman. During this difficult time, I would like to thank all of the people who have expressed their kindness and support. I will continue to cooperate to the police in any way possible in finding who committed this horrific crime. I ask the media to respect my privacy and the privacy of Rhoni's family white we mourn our loss."
When Gayle heard about his girlfriend's death, he was sitting in a barber's chair, getting his haircut Thursday morning, according to one of his attorneys. He learned of the death from a reporter.
"I'm sorry and deeply sad about what happened to his girlfriend. I know shaun personally and he's a great guy," said William "Refrigerator" Perry.
While Gayle and his attorney have refused to comment about the murder investigation, those at the gym where Reuter regularly worked out say she was a great lady.
"She was just a very caring, energetic woman who loved life, was really looking forward to her new experience with her baby and the future of her baby," said Rob Stahl, trainer.
Police say they have no suspects in custody and have made no arrests.
"I heard screams and a couple of bangs and crashes," said Gayle Rubin, victim's neighbor.
The shooting sparked a heavy police response in the neighborhood. Officers from several communities canvassed the area and stopped several vehicles in their search for a possible suspect.
"They stopped me because they said there was a murder that was across the tracks. It's new to me. I can't believe it," said Jasmine Dunlap, Deerfield Resident.
"It is quite shocking in this neighborhood. I have never had anything like this, an incident like this at all. It is pretty scary because our kids here just run around," said Rose Delrosario, victim's neighbor.
