Illinois teacher fatally stabbed; husband killed after walking into traffic

PLAINFIELD, Ill. -- A teacher at Plainfield North High School in Illinois was fatally stabbed by her husband, district officials said.

Police conducting a welfare check in the 25000 block of Prairie Grove Court just after 8:05 p.m. Tuesday found 47-year-old Susan (Triplett) Cunningham unresponsive inside the home. She was not breathing and had been stabbed several times.

Cunningham was transported to Rush Copley Hospital in Aurora, where she later died.

Plainfield District 202 officials said Wednesday they were told one of their teachers was stabbed by her husband Tuesday night.

She taught physical education and health at Plainfield North High School. She had been with the school since 2006, district officials said. She taught at Plainfield Central from 2002-2006.

Officials said she had been on medical leave this year. Extra counselors were available Wednesday for PNHS students who may have needed to speak with an adult.

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Lane Abrell, hired Cunningham when he was principal of Plainfield Central. He said she was "a valued member of the staff, great with kids and a very positive person. All District 202 employees mourn Sue's passing."

Around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, Craig Cunningham, 46, was fatally struck by a vehicle on northbound I-55 just north of Route 126, Illinois State Police said.

The Will County coroner's office said Cunningham, who lived in Plainfield, walked into traffic before he was hit.

He was taken to Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:06 p.m.

An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday. No citations or charges have been issued.