Man Sentenced for Drowning His Wife in Their Home

October 16, 2024, Peoria, IL- Today, Michael L. Vorrath, 68, was sentenced to 45 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the 2019 murder of his wife Nancy Vorrath, 60. Around 1 pm on November 19, 2019, officers responded to the 3300 block of West Lexington Ct. in Peoria after the defendant claimed his wife had committed suicide. However, evidence at the scene and the subsequent autopsy confirmed that this was not a suicide but rather a murder by drowning. Mrs. Vorrath had significant injuries that were consistent with someone holding her underwater. The defendant was found guilty by a jury on August 14.

During today's sentencing hearing, Mrs. Vorrath's children described her as the light in their lives and explained how their lives had been forever altered after her murder. Not only did they lose their mother in the most horrific way possible, but they also lost a father with his refusal to admit what he did. The murder of their mom has caused division between family members and tarnished the Vorrath name, and the children have suffered from depression, nightmares, and the burden of the prolonged wait for justice. In asking for a harsh prison sentence, Assistant State's Attorney Dave Gast argued that this was a "hands-on crime" where the defendant submerged Mrs. Vorrath in a sink, held her there, and watched her life leave her body. For that, he deserved a lengthy prison sentence.

The defendant must serve 100% of his sentence.

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