Jurors have convicted a northern Illinois man of killing his wife with a baseball bat in 2012 and dumping her body in the Rock River.
Todd Smith was found guilty of murder Wednesday in a Rockford courtroom. He is to be sentenced March 22, when he faces a term of life in prison.
The jury also found that the allegation that the murder was accompanied by exceptionally brutal and heinous behavior indicative of wanton cruelty was proven, according to Winnebago County State's Attorney Joe Bruscato.
Katrina Smith's mother, Vikki Nalevac tells the Rockford Register Star that her relatives "finally have justice. We can breathe now."
Prosecutors said Katrina Smith wanted out of her marriage to Todd Smith, but he wouldn't let her go and even tracked her with a device under her car.
In Oct. 2012, Roscoe Police were called to 4927 Prairie Rose Dr. in Machesney Park on a report of a missing person.
Todd Smith had called to report that his wife, Katrina Smith, had not been seen for a little more than 24 hours.
Multiple law enforcement agencies were able to locate her car and purse in the area of Obispo and Ventura Drive in Machesney Park.
A search of Todd Smith’s home found trace evidence of human blood on a metal baseball bat and a stair leading from the garage in to the home. Illinois State Police confirmed the blood was the victim's.
Police detectives and community members conducted several massive searches for Katrina, but were unable to find her.
In early Nov., an off duty Byron Firefighter fishing near Oregon, Illinois found Katrina’s body in the Rock River. An autopsy showed she suffered multiple injuries caused by blunt force trauma to her head, body and arms.
Smith's public defender said the case was filled with sloppy police work and described Todd Smith as a loving husband trying to preserve his relationship with his wife.
- Jessie Schlacks and The Associated Press contributed to this report.