FARGO
The manhunt continued Thursday night after a vehicle driven by an Illinois man wanted for questioning in the Wednesday slaying of his wife was found abandoned Thursday morning in a downtown Fargo parking lot.
Capt. Tod Dahle said Fargo police received several calls from the public but still had no indication where 31-year-old Eric Gilford of Downers Grove, Ill., may be.
"We're going to follow up on any tips as best we can, but nothing has led to his arrest," Dahle said.
Employees of TL Stroh Architects discovered the vehicle in the downtown firm's parking lot, located at 7 8th St. N., when they arrived at work about 8 a.m.
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Suspicion arose when employees discovered the windows of the car rolled down with keys inside and a stereo or GPS system torn out of the dash, architect Joe Jenni said.
A secretary called police around 9 a.m., said Terry Stroh, the firm's owner.
Jenni located a GPS unit in a Dumpster behind the firm's building, Stroh said.
Fargo Police Lt. Pat Claus said a check of the car led police to discover that it may be linked to a Wednesday homicide in Villa Park, Ill., a Chicago suburb.
Police began canvassing the area closest to the parking lot, showing the suspect's photo and description to people downtown.
"We tend to work our way out from where the vehicle was located to see if anyone heard and saw anything," Dahle said.
Dahle said Gilford has no known ties to Fargo, and police were unaware of what brought him to the area.
Police said Gilford should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who sees Gilford should call 911.
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According to a story by the Chicago Tribune, Gilford is being sought for questioning in the death of his wife, Kristine Gilford of Downers Grove.
Kristine Gilford was visiting a friend in Villa Park when she was stabbed Wednesday afternoon, police told the Tribune.
The story said the killing was witnessed by the victim's young daughter.
A Villa Park resident who discovered the body told the newspaper that when she opened the back door of the residence, the victim's daughter approached her covered in blood and said her "ma got stabbed."
Villa Park police described Eric Gilford as 6-feet 4-inches tall, 210 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
He was driving a black 2008 Dodge Charger with military plates 41279US.
The windshield and front bumper of the Charger seen in Fargo were covered with bugs.
Gilford's Facebook page shows a post Saturday stating, "The police detectives found my wife living at her physically abusive ex-boyfriends house."
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His profile on the social networking site also states he is employed by the U.S. Navy, that he is married and he is interested in women.
A message left on the cell phone listed in public records for Gilford was not returned. The phone rang multiple times and had a voice-mail message asking callers to leave a message for Petty Officer Gilford.
A phone message left for family at Gilford's home in Downers Grove wasn't returned.
Anyone with information about Gilford's whereabouts is asked to call Fargo police at (701) 235-4493.
The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead and the Herald are Forum Communications Co. newspapers.
