Kenosha, Wis. — A local man faces serious charges after an early morning welfare check turned into a homicide investigation. Officers found the body of 28-year-old Makayla Plaza in a basement on April 1, prompting a prolonged manhunt for her estranged husband, Marckus Plaza, who allegedly killed her.
Prosecutors have charged Marckus Plaza with first-degree intentional homicide and additional counts relating to mental harm to the couple’s children. Reports indicate that two minors were present in the home during the attack, with one of them recounting the events to law enforcement and child advocates. In just 24 hours, the case transitioned from an emergency response to a manhunt, ending with Plaza’s capture and a bond set at $2 million.
According to the criminal complaint, police were dispatched to the family residence on April 1 after a friend of Makayla Plaza raised concerns about potential violence. When officers knocked on the door, Marckus Plaza allegedly falsely identified himself and then shut the door. An officer looking through a basement window witnessed him dragging a body, prompting them to force entry into the home.
Inside, investigators discovered Makayla’s body with a knife embedded in her eye, along with signs of a violent struggle and blood scattered throughout the residence. Two young children were present, one of whom told officers that “Daddy hit mommy” and described gruesome details about the attack to advocates later. A grim timeline remains unclear, as authorities have not publicly detailed how long Makayla Plaza had been deceased before police arrived.
The case has garnered heightened attention because Makayla Plaza was a former member of the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office. Following the arrest, Police Chief Patrick Patton mentioned the emotional toll on officers who had to confront such a tragic scene. Reports also revealed evidence from a recorded call capturing Makayla’s pleas for help, in which she could be heard saying, “let go of me,” followed by her estranged husband claiming “it’s too late for that.”
Court documents indicate that Makayla Plaza had previously sought a temporary restraining order against Marckus in February, which was denied. That same month, he faced charges related to an incident involving Makayla’s boyfriend, highlighting an ongoing pattern of alleged abuse.
After the incident, authorities issued a $750,000 cash warrant for Marckus Plaza as he remained at large. The search lasted around 30 hours until he was found in the basement of a nearby salon. During his arrest, Plaza reportedly injured himself with a knife, and two officers sustained minor injuries in the ensuing struggle.
By April 6, the charges against Plaza expanded to include resisting arrest, as well as two felony counts of causing mental harm to a child, along with a misdemeanor charge of unlawful entry. He remains jailed with a future competency hearing scheduled.
In a somber initial court appearance, Makayla’s mother expressed her belief that Plaza should never have access to the couple’s children again. Meanwhile, her boyfriend, Korey Williams, testified about attempts to help Makayla escape from what he described as an abusive relationship, painting a fuller picture of the family’s dynamic prior to the tragedy.
As the legal proceedings advance, questions linger regarding additional witnesses and forensic evidence that may clarify the timeline surrounding the attack. Authorities continue to build their case against Marckus Plaza, focusing on witness statements, emergency call records, and the physical evidence collected from the scene. For now, he remains behind bars amid a community still grappling with this shocking act of violence.