Belleville woman charged with first-degree murder in stabbing death

A 38-year-old Belleville woman was charged Monday with first-degree murder in the death of an East St. Louis man that occurred Friday.

Van T. Perry, 67, was found with multiple stab wounds at his residence in the 6900 block of Church Lane. He was pronounced dead at the scene, St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. said.

The St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office issued a first-degree murder charge against Michelle A. Schultz, of Belleville.

East St. Louis police requested assistance from Illinois State Police in the homicide investigation. After a joint investigation by ISP and East St. Louis police, Schultz was identified as the suspect.

Police did not say how Perry and Schultz knew each other or whether a motive for the homicide had been determined.

No other information about the case is available, according to an ISP news release.