Crime
Two Found Dead in Suspicious Vehicle Incident in Whitley County
WHITLEY COUNTY, KY – Authorities have launched a death investigation after two individuals were discovered deceased inside a vehicle blocking the roadway near the intersection of KY Highway 92 West and KY Highway 2792 on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
At approximately 11:10 a.m., Major Tony Dingess responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle—a gray Chevrolet Malibu—stopped in the middle of the roadway with an unresponsive driver.
Upon arrival, Dingess located the vehicle with its engine running and found the driver, identified as 60-year-old George Glenn Gaertner of Struck, Kentucky, deceased behind the wheel.
A female passenger, identified as 60-year-old Surja M. Gaertner, was also found deceased inside the vehicle.
During the investigation, authorities recovered a handgun from the scene.
The Whitley County Sheriff’s Office has opened a death investigation under case number 25-118-0060.
The Kentucky State Police in McCreary County have notified the victims’ next of kin.
An autopsy has been scheduled at the Kentucky State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort to determine the cause of death.
The investigation is ongoing, led by Major Tony Dingess, with assistance from Deputies David Rowe and Heather Lindsay, the Williamsburg Police Department, Kentucky State Police Post 11, Whitley County EMS, and Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.