Crime Scene (Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha police have not officially confirmed the identity of the victim in Tuesday morning’s apparent homicide near 75th Street and 22nd Avenue, but sources indicate the victim is seemingly Makayla Marie Rutka Plaza, 28.
The suspect is her estranged husband, 33-year-old Marckus L.A. Plaza, who remained the subject of a massive manhunt as of publication.
(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office)
(Kenosha Police)
Police were initially called to the couple’s home in the 7400 block of 22nd Avenue after a caller reported hearing Makayla screaming “get off of me” while Marckus was allegedly assaulting her. Dispatch notes indicate there was a history of domestic violence between the two, who share children together.
As officers arrived, one officer radioed that Marckus was “dragging her to the ground.” Rescue was immediately requested, and another officer said Makayla had been “badly beaten.”
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
A short time later, however, officers told rescue crews to hold back. One officer radioed, “Unfortunately, rescue’s not going to be needed,” signaling Makayla had apparently died from her injuries.
Marckus reportedly fled through backyards west of the home as police arrived. Kenosha police, the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pleasant Prairie Police Department flooded the neighborhood searching for him. At least 50 marked squad cars, multiple drones, K-9 units, and other law enforcement resources responded to the scene.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Officers tracked blood through yards, fences, garages, and driveways in the area of 73rd to 75th streets and 22nd to 30th avenues.
Police later issued a public alert warning residents that they were searching for a violent offender in the area. Marckus was described as a Black man, approximately 5-foot-6 and 190 pounds, wearing dark sweatpants and a white tank top.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Court records show Makayla filed for divorce on Feb. 2, 2026. The next day, on Feb. 3, she filed for a restraining order against Marckus. In the petition, Makayla alleged that Marckus repeatedly took away her phone and vehicle keys, left her stranded at home with their children, physically blocked her from leaving, slammed doors shut to keep her inside, locked her out of the house, listened to her conversations through cameras, accessed her email and school accounts, withheld money from her, changed bank passwords, and threatened to go to other people’s homes and beat them up.
Makayla also alleged that Marckus bruised her chest while taking her phone and told her she was “stuck in this marriage until God decides it’s over.” She wrote that she feared for her own safety and the safety of their children. She also said she feared he would take the children and disappear with them.
Makayla, whose maiden name was Rutka, briefly worked for the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office as a correctional officer about three years ago.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Despite those allegations, Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II denied the restraining order request on Feb. 9, finding Makayla had failed to meet the burden of proof.
The manhunt for Marckus Plaza remained ongoing as of publication.
55 Responses
Toll has been paid in full
Anybody else see a patern?….
I sure do!
Hey Thumbs Down! If you don’t see a pattern try opening your eyes.
Yup! #TheyAreAllTheSame
Agreed
Alex, I’ll take “Dumb & Dumber” for $1,000.
Ugh, so sad. Hope they get this guy quickly! And William “Bargain Bail” Billy needs to be sued!!
Michel has been terrible since his very first day. He denies necessary restraining orders, puts dangerously low bail on career criminals. Totally disgusting.
Mr Bargain Bail Billy should be fired. I continue to read about him, and others in our court system and they all need to be fired. When is something going to change? You let all the bad people go Scott-free. Our courts are a disgrace.
I wish a reporter would get in his face and ask real questions.
Agreed again
I wonder if she met this loser when she worked as a CO
Probably
she probably did
Them felons love them the big unns
💯🤣
Yes, they both worked together, its how they met.
Why is this guy holding this position??? Get rid of him. I’m tired of his incompetency! Now someone had to pay with their life.
Sue Bargain Bail.
Restraining order wouldn’t have done anything. Clearly this pos doesn’t give a fuck about breaking the law.
Anarcho-tyranny is a stage of governmental dysfunction defined by the simultaneous oppressive enforcement of laws against innocent, law-abiding citizens and a paralysis of the state’s ability to enforce basic public duties like protection and public safety. Coined by American paleoconservative writer Samuel T. Francis in the 1990s, the term describes a condition where the state fails to punish criminals or maintain order, yet ruthlessly criminalizes the non-compliant, effectively combining elements of anarchy (chaos) and tyranny (oppression).
This is where we’re at…
It is amazing what AI can write.
Ok AI
Another life taken by the shitty Kenosha court system… maybe one these low life judges can raise her kids now. Bc they are parent less
Let’s hope Dindo comes across an armed citizen today and said armed citizen puts a really large hole in his head.
Ready and waiting for the thug
Me too
Me three
Well, well, well…
All three characters in this terrible story, unfortunately, have incredibly predictable behavior.
Agreed
Praying for the family 🙏🏾
This poor lady and her children. That man needs to be locked up forever.
💯
Black lives matter sign in the front.yard is so ironic. Typical behavior from the usual suspects. Bet she met him at the correctional facility. And now look. Dead.
💯
White people murder people too moron
Statistically, speaking, though. Blacks commit the most homicides
You’re just mad that they all love BBC and not your chode 🤣🤣🤣
Bbc got her death. Bet shes so happy
The suspect should identify as an illegal immigrant so the media ignores the story and a whole army of fat liberal women will come to his defense.
Dont forget transgender too!!
Lol
WHERE ARE THE KIDS?
If there were an organized protest to hold Michel accountable, this is one protest I would be joining. Anyone joining me???
That’s hilarious.
I guess he’s finally met the burden of proof, right Billy?
I hope Bargain Bail Billy never has a peaceful night’s sleep for the rest of his miserable life. I hope this woman’s face haunts him every single day.
I won’t jump on the “fire Billy bandwagon” just yet because I think Kevin should look at the transcript of the injunction hearing to see if he was justified in dismissing it. Sometimes the evidence isn’t the same as what’s in the petition and/or witnesses don’t show up. But if they did and he blew it, then there’s some serious explaining to do.
I do know that the whole system in the courthouse is sick. Keating quit as commissioner because he was getting too much grief from the gang of judges. Commissioner Evans, who was no nonsense, moved away. Ginkowski, also no nonsense, did not have his term renewed after Gabriele turned on him because he didn’t support Iverson for judge (despite having supported Gabriele). And so on. The strong judges — Schroeder, Bastianelli and Wagner — retired and the cast of characters today can’t hold a candle.
When Milasaskas retired, that was it. The cast of clowns in robes in Kenosha County now put everyone at risk of losing their life.
I’m blocked from posting. Be for real
Yet, here you are, dumbfuck….
My elderly parents and I are being stalked from X-husband. Can’t get any help.
Kenosha county judges are crooked as heck,my sons killer got 8 of the 63 yrs he was facing.i know people in walworth county that got 10yrs for stealing a trailer.this is what happens when Strickland is friends with his lawyer laughing it up..sentencing they are too crooked..how is a life less time than a theft,be so fucken for real. Im sorry these kids will pay the price for this man’s actions..