A former Chicago-based Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine professor and an accomplice allegedly murdered 26-year-old Trenton Cornell-Duranleau in July to "fulfill an elaborate, violent sexual fantasy," prosecutors said Aug. 20, the Chicago Tribune reports.
A judge ordered Wyndham Lathem, PhD, a former professor of microbiology at Northwestern, and Andrew Warren, a financial officer at Somerville College Oxford in the U.K. to be held without bail Sunday following allegations the individuals killed Mr. Cornell-Duranleau.
Prosecutors alleged Dr. Lathem and Mr. Warren talked online for months prior to the incident and discussed their shared fantasy to kill other people and themselves. The individuals reportedly selected Mr. Cornell-Duranleau — Dr. Lathem's alleged boyfriend — as their first victim, the report states.
The two men allegedly "lured" Mr. Cornell-Duranleau to Dr. Lathem's luxury Chicago apartment July 26. Mr. Warren arrived at the apartment about 4:30 a.m. July 27.
Dr. Lathem reportedly instructed Mr. Warren to record the incident and proceeded to stab Mr. Cornell-Duranleau "over and over in the neck and chest area," prosecutors alleged.
The victim allegedly woke up during the incident and began to fight back. Police officials previously said the alleged attack was "so vicious it left the knife blade shattered" and left the victim "nearly decapitated," according to the Chicago Tribune.
Dr. Lathem and Mr. Warren fled the city following the incident. Mr. Warren surrendered to San Francisco police nine days later, while Dr. Lathem reportedly turned himself in to federal officials. While on the run, the individuals allegedly made two charitable donations in Mr. Cornell-Duranleau's name, totaling $6,610, according to the report. Dr. Lathem said he called the front desk of the apartment building and left an anonymous tip telling staff to check his apartment, prosecutors said.
Both men allegedly admitted their involvement in the incident, prosecutors said. Dr. Lathem reportedly filmed a video and sent it to family and friends admitting his role in the alleged murder, the report states.
During the bond hearing, Dr. Lathem's lawyer provided the judge with "dozens of letters from [Dr.] Lathem's friends and colleagues, attesting to his character and academic accomplishments," the Chicago Tribune reports.
Dr. Lathem was fired from his position at Northwestern medical school Aug. 4. Mr. Warren was also reportedly suspended from his job at Somerville College, the report states.