On the Illinois State Police website is a list of 24 unsolved crimes dating back to September 1974. If anyone has information regarding these cases, specific contacts are listed for each unsolved crime. Emails can be sent to CRIMETIPS@isp.state.il.us or by contacting your local ISP District.
The following list of unsolved crimes in Illinois is organized by the most recent to oldest, and by the city or county in which the victims were found.
1. Washington Park
- Where: 5700 Block of Portland Place
- When: June 3, 2010
- Case details: Death investigation of Thomas D. Moore
On Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at approximately 10:40 p.m., Thomas D. Moore, an O’Fallon, Ill. resident, was found shot to death in the roadway in the 5700 Block of Portland Place in Washington Park, Ill. Two black males were observed fleeing the scene in Moore’s vehicle, which was found burned a short time later in Washington Park.
Anyone with information about Moore’s murder should contact ISP Special Agent Jamie Brunnworth at (618) 346-3759.
2. East St. Louis
- Where: 640 N. 53rd St.
- When: April 5, 2007
- Case details: Homicide investigation of Barry Marcel Lowery
On Thursday, April 5, 2007 at approximately 5:20 a.m., Barry Marcel Lowery, was found shot to death inside his residence at 640 N. 53rd St. in East St. Louis.
Anyone with information about the murder of Lowery is asked to contact ISP Captain James Morrisey at (618) 346-3724 or St. Louis Regional CrimeStoppers (www.stlrcs.org) at (866) 371-TIPS (8477). CrimeStoppers will pay up to $1,000 for anonymous information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
3. Summit
- Where: Illinois/Michigan Shipping Canal near Summit
- When: Jan. 6, 2005
- Case details: Homicide investigation of unidentified male
On Jan. 6, 2005 at approximately 4:00 p.m. , the body of a male white subject was recovered from the Illinois/Michigan Shipping Canal near Summit. The subject is 5’9″ in height, weighing 185 pounds between the ages of 50 and 60 years of age with balding brown hair and a moustache. We were unable to determine the color of the eyes. At the time the subject was recovered, he was wearing a brown sweater, blue shirt, dark blue pants, a white T-shirt, and black size 9 slip on shoes. It is believed that the subject may have been homeless at the time.
Any person having information or questions are asked to contact Sergeant James Minx #3021 with Illinois Police Investigations or the Zone 1 Investigations Unit in Des Plaines at (847) 294-4600 (Case # 05-10145DP).
4. Henry County
- Where: Green River in rural Henry County
- When: July 6, 2003
- Case details: Homicide investigation of Jone Knapton
On July 6, 2003, 47 year-old East Moline resident Jone Knapton was reported missing. Four days later, Jone’s body was located in the Green River in rural Henry County. An intense, multi jurisdictional investigation ensued. Agents from the East Moline Police Department, Henry County Sheriff’s Department, and ISP interviewed dozens of people and followed up on hundreds of leads in an attempt to identify the person responsible for Jone’s murder.
Anyone having information concerning this case is urged to contact the ISP M/Sgt. Chris Endress (309) 752-4915 Ext 4930 or the Quad Cities Crime Stoppers: (309) 762-9500.
5. Brooklyn
- Where: Brooklyn
- When: May 26, 2003
- Case details: Homicide investigation of unidentified male
On May 30, 2003, ISP began investigating a homicide in Brooklyn. The vehicle and the victim were abandoned [on] May 26, 2003. Victim is believed to be a Hispanic male, 18-25 years old, between 5’11” and 6’0″ and weighing 200-230 lbs… Victim was found in the trunk of a red 1988 Dodge Dynasty with a Kansas temporary tag.
Anyone with information concerning the identity of the victim or the circumstances surrounding his death are urged to contact ISP Agent James Walker at (618) 346-3770.
6. Streator
- Where: Vermilion River in Streator
- When: March 26, 2003
- Case details: Homicide investigation of Dalton Mesarchik ($50,000 reward)
On March 26, 2003, seven-year-old Streator resident Dalton Mesarchik was reported missing from the front yard of his home. The following day, Dalton’s body was located in the Vermillion River. An intense, multi jurisdictional investigation ensued. Agents from the Streator Police Department, Livingston County Sheriff’s Department, and ISP interviewed dozens of people and followed up on hundreds of leads in an attempt to identify the person responsible for Dalton’s murder. Physical evidence from Dalton’s body and the body recovery site was sent to the ISP Crime Lab for processing. View the press releaseannouncing the Dalton Mesarchik Task Force.
Anyone with information of Dalton’s murder, the hammer used in the murder, or the location where Dalton’s body was found may contact: ISP – Dalton Mesarchik Task Force by telephone at (815) 844-1500 (ext.2321) or email at daltonm@isp.state.il.us.
7. Will/Kankakee County Line
- Where: Near Route 45
- When: Oct. 1, 2002
- Case details: Death investigation of unidentified female
The ISP, in cooperation with the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office and the Coroner’s Office, is seeking any information that may help identify the skeletal remains of an African-American female, which were found in October 2002 near the Will-Kankakee County Line, near Route 45. This reconstruction was done by a forensic artist based on the remains. The woman was approximately 30-40 years old at the time of death and stood around 5’3″ tall. She is thought to have died in 2001. (The hairstyle and length is only an estimate.)
If you can provide any information about the possible identity of this person, or the circumstances of her death, please contact Trooper Darrin Devine or Master Sergeant Ruben Bautista, ISP, Zone 3 Investigations in Ashkum, (815) 698-2672. All information will be treated as confidential upon request.
8. Columbia
- Where: Near Gall Rd. on IL Route 3
- When: March 28, 2002
- Case details: Homicide investigation of unidentified female
On Thursday, March 28, 2002 the Columbia Police Department along with the Major Case Squad began investigating the skeletal remains found on a creek bed on Route 3 near Gall Road in Columbia. Investigators located a green shirt with a large “M” and the word “Mavericks”, in orange or yellow lettering, across the front of the shirt. The shirt also had two buttons at the top similar to a softball jersey. The shirt is an adult XL. Also at the scene were a pair of khaki colored size 3 “Chazzz Credentials” shorts.
A preliminary report by the Forensic Medical Investigator describes this person as a female, age 33 to 50, with African American ancestry, 5’01” give or take three inches, and is believed to have had children. The medical investigator believed the person was deceased at least six months but no more than one year.Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. Joe Edwards of the Columbia Police Department at (618) 281-5151.
9. Madison County
- Where: Near the Silver Creek overpass, in rural Madison County at mile marker 23 on eastbound I-70
- When: March 11, 2002
- Case details: Homicide investigation of unknown female
On June 18, 2002, the ISP released computer recreation images of a black female victim that was discovered on March 11, 2002 near mile post 23 on I-70 (eastbound). The images reflect how the victim may have looked prior to her death. The skeletal remains of the victim were originally discovered by Illinois Department of Transportation workers near an underpass in rural Madison County… A subsequent autopsy could not determine the cause of death and it is believed that the victim had been deceased four to six months.
Anyone with information concerning the identity of the victim or the circumstances surrounding her death are urged to contact ISP Sergeant Kurt Sachtleben at (618) 346-3788 or (618) 346-3781.
10. Mascoutah
- Where: Near mile marker 22 on I-64
- When: Jan. 30, 2002
- Case details: Homicide investigation of unidentified female
On Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2002, at approximately 4:30 p.m., the ISP responded to a complaint concerning the discovery of skeletal remains near mile marker 22 on I-64. The complaint originated from workers of IDOT who were working in the vicinity and discovered the remains. The skeletal remains were situated off the roadway on the east side of the Silver Creek overpass in rural Mascoutah. At the direction of the St. Clair County Coroner’s office, the remains were transferred to St. Mary’s Hospital, East St. Louis, where an autopsy was performed… The autopsy could not determine the cause of the death and it is believed that the victim has been deceased for several months.
Anyone with information concerning the identity of the victim or the circumstances surrounding her death are urged to contact ISP Sergeant Kurt Sachtleben at (618) 346-3788 or (618) 346-3781.
11. Montgomery County
- Where: Buckeye trail, 200 feet south of 4th Avenue, 2.5 miles northeast of Donnellson.
- When: April 25, 1998
- Case details: Homicide investigation of Jeremy “Chappy” Chappelear ($3,000 reward)
On Saturday, April 25, 1998, at approximately 5:25 a.m., the body of 20-year-old Jeremy “Chappy” Chappelear was found on Buckeye trail, 200 feet south of 4th Avenue, approximately 2.5 miles northeast of Donnellson by fisherman en route to the Coffeen Lake. Jeremy apparently died from being struck and/or run over by a vehicle. Jeremy had last been seen around 2:00 a.m. at a farmhouse party two miles away. Jeremy may have been walking home when killed.
If you have any information please contact Sergeant Brent Pinkston, (217) 324-4900 or Crime Stoppers (800) 352-0136.
12. Will County
- Where: Near I-55 and Route 53 between the towns of Bolingbrook and Romeoville
- When: April 22, 1998
- Case details: Death investigation of unidentified male
On April 22, 1998, an unidentified male was found in a field near I-55 and Route 53 between the towns of Bolingbrook and Romeoville. He had been deceased for an estimated two to five years. He was wearing an extra large blue nylon Starter jacket, blue jeans and size 9-9 1/2 Nike shoes. This person had a distinct overbite. Dental records are available for comparison. DNA profile has been established at the ISP Crime lab in Joliet and is on file in CODIS.
13. Nokomis
- Where: 527 South Maple, Nokomis in Montgomery County
- When: Nov. 1, 1995
- Case details: Homicide investigation of Shana M. Jaros
The ISP, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the Nokomis Police Department are seeking assistance regarding the homicide of Shana Marie Jaros, of Nokomis. Just before 7:00 a.m., on Nov. 1, 1995, Jaros’ deceased body was discovered in her apartment of one week at 527 South Maple, Nokomis. A neighbor reported she heard a scuffle in Jaros’s apartment at approximately 4:46 a.m. The neighbor did not observe anyone leaving the victim’s apartment immediately thereafter. Jaros received more than 50 stab-cutting wounds from just above her breasts to her neck. Death resulted from massive blood loss.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Sergeant Mike Sheeley, ISP, District 18 Headquarters at 217/324-2515; or Analyst John Roman, ISP, Field Support Section at (888) 375-9611, or romanjo@isp.state.il.us.
14. Cook County
- Where: Sanitary Shipping Canal, one mile east of Routes 83 and 171 in Cook County
- When: Oct. 10, 1994
- Case details: Homicide investigation of Jeffery W. Archer
The ISP, District Chicago Investigations is seeking assistance regarding the death of Jeffery W. Archer. He was last seen leaving his 1990 Plymouth Voyager, Illinois Registration TU5880 on Oct. 10, 1994, at approximately 5:00 p.m. in the area of 6900 South Wolf Road, Indian Head Park. His body was recovered on Oct. 16, 1994, from the Sanitary Shipping Canal, one mile east of Routes 83 and 171.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact ISP Zone 1 Investigations at (847) 608-3200 to provide any additional information.
15. Decatur
- Where: House for sale in Macon County
- When: Aug. 5, 1994
- Case details: Homicide investigation of Sherry Lewis ($10,000 reward)
On Aug. 5, 1994, 30-year-old Sherry L. Lewis, a Decatur realtor, was found deceased in a Macon County residence that was for sale which she had an appointment to show. The family of Sherry Lewis is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the murder.
Anyone with information regarding the Lewis murder should contact the Macon County Sheriff’s Office at (217) 424-1337.
16. Elgin
- Where: I-90 in Elgin
- When: July 24, 1993
- Case details: Homicide investigation of Carmen Charneco ($5,000 reward)
Carmen Charneco was found murdered on July 24, 1993 on I-90 in Elgin. The ISP is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension of Edwin Acevedo Rodriguez, a 42-year-old Hispanic male.
Rodriguez is a wanted fugitive who fled the Elgin area in July 1993 and is wanted for questioning in the death of Charneco. Rodriguez should be considered armed and dangerous. Rodriguez has a history of drugs and weapons and has been identified as a member of the street gang “Maniac Latin Disciples.” Rodriguez has relatives in and has been sighted in Brooklyn, Bronx, New York, New York and the areas surrounding Aguada, Aguadilla Puerto Rico. He was also sighted in Hialeah, Florida. Rodriguez is a Puerto Rican male, approximately 5 feet, 3 – 5 inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes. When last seen, his weight was approximately 132-150 pounds, but this description is dated. Rodriguez has several tattoos including ones on his left and right thighs, right arm, forearm, and shoulder.
The attached photograph shows Rodriguez as he looked in 1993 (the last photo shows what he might look like today).
17. Williamson County
- Where: Crab Orchard Lake in Williamson County
- When: June 29, 1993
- Case details: Homicide investigation of Keith L. Brown
On Feb. 3, 1993, the wife of Keith L. Brown, 34, of Buckner, reported her husband was missing. Brown’s blue 1989 Plymouth hatchback, (IL. Reg. KWA682) was located two days later in a remote area near Crab Orchard Lake in Williamson County. On June 29,1993, Brown’s skeletal remains were found in a hay field near Crab Orchard Lake by a farmer. Brown had been shot several times.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Master Sergeant Stanton Diggs, ISP, at (618) 542-2171 ext.8090.
18. Jefferson County
- Where: Wayne Fitzgerald State Park in Jefferson County
- When: Jan. 24, 1993
- Case details: Homicide investigation of unidentified female
On Jan. 27, 1993, the head of a white female was found in a wooded area in the Wayne Fitzgerald State Park in Jefferson County. Postmortem examination revealed the victim had approximately shoulder length reddish-brown hair.
Analysis by the University of Illinois Anthropology Department indicated the victim’s age ranged between 30 to 50 years. Unusual skeletal characteristics of the skull and upper front cervical vertebrae indicate the victim suffered from chronic spasmodic torticollis, or wryneck, a condition which causes stress on the muscles which are responsible for maintaining upright head posture. Evidence of a healed traumatic lesion on the skull suggests this condition may have been preceded by head trauma; this would have resulted in the victim maintaining a leftward tilt of the head.Anyone with any information that would help identify this unidentified victim is urged to contact Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department at (618) 242-2141 or ISP, M/Sgt Myron Pansing at (618) 542-1137.
19. Lawrence County, Miss.
- Where: I-44 in rural Lawrence County, Miss., between Springfield and Joplin, Miss.
- When: Aug. 23, 1992
- Case details: Homicide investigation of Tammy J. Zywicki
On Aug. 23, 1992, Tammy J. Zywicki departed Evanston for college in Grinnell, IA, where she was expected to arrive that evening. Later that day, Zywicki’s car was found by an Illinois State Trooper and ticketed as being abandoned. On Aug. 24, 1992, the vehicle was towed by ISP. On that same evening, Zywicki’s mother contacted the ISP and advised them that her daughter had not arrived at college. On Sept. 1, 1992, Zywicki’s body was located along Interstate Highway 44 (I-44) in rural Lawrence County, Miss.,, which is located between Springfield and Joplin, Miss. She had been stabbed to death.
Zywicki was reportedly last seen with her car on I-80 at mile marker 83 in LaSalle County between 3:10 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Aug. 23, 1992. It was also reported that a tractor/trailer was seen near Zywicki’s vehicle during this time period. The driver of the tractor/trailer is described as a white male between 35 and 40 years of age, over six feet tall, with dark, bushy hair. Some of the victim’s personal property is known to be missing, including a Cannon 35mm camera and a musical wrist watch with an umbrella on its face and it played a tune.Anyone with any information is urged to contact S/A Jorge Fonseca, ISP at (815) 726-6377 Ext 286.
20. Jarvis Township, Collinsville
- Where: Lebanon Road, 1/10th of a mile west of the Troy and O’Fallon Rd. in Jarvis Township, Collinsville
- When: July 20, 1990
- Case details: Homicide investigation of unidentified female
On July 20, 1990, at 1:25 p.m., an unidentified, white female body was found in a bean field approximately 40 feet north of Lebanon Road, 1/10th of a mile west of the Troy and O’Fallon Road in Jarvis Township, Collinsville. The victim’s death resulted from multiple cutting and stab wounds to the neck and torso; her fallopian tubes, uterus and ovaries were missing. Evidence of surgical removal could not be determined. No defensive wounds were found on the victim. The body appeared to have been placed at the site two to three days prior to discovery.
Anyone with any information regarding the identification of the unidentified victim is urged to contact Detective Leonard Suhre, Madison County Sheriff’s Department at (618) 692-4433 or (618) 692-0871.
21. I-88, 120 miles west of Chicago
- Where: Near mile marker 28.5, off of I-88 approximately 120 miles west of Chicago
- When: May 20, 1986
- Case details: Homicide investigation of Kathleen A. Goebeler, aka Kathleen Johnson
On May 20, 1986, ISP District 01 responded to an area of abandoned railroad tracks located on the south side of I-88, milepost 28.5, wherein a citizen had discovered the decomposed skeletal remains of a white female now identified as Kathleen A. Goebeler. Kathleen’s maiden name is Johnson. Her last known address was Mckees Rocks, Penn., which is a suburb of Pittsburgh. Kathleen was last seen between April 11th and 18th, 1986, in Mckees Rocks, Penn.
It is known that Goebeler would hitch-hike as a means of transportation. Goebeler was known to have worked in strip clubs in the Pittsburgh area, Atlantic City, N.J. area and possibly the northwest West Virginia area.
Geographic information regarding the area wherein the female was found: I-88 is an east/west toll way which connects the Quad Cities with Chicago, Illinois (very rural in nature). This location was approximately 120 miles west of Chicago. At the time of death, I-88 was still Illinois Route 5, a four lane highway. The body was found approximately 45 feet south of the roadway across a barbed wire fence in a sparsely wooded area.
If you have any information please contact Special Agent Nate Macklin 815/632-4012 Ext. 229.
22. Massac County
- Where: Near Macedonia Church Rd and US Highway 45 in Massac County
- When: March 30, 1984
- Case details: Homicide investigation of Lisa Ann Carnes
Carnes’ body was found in a field in rural Massac County near Macedonia Church Road and U.S. Highway 45.
Anyone who has information that may be helpful in solving this crime is asked to contact ISP Sergeant Chad Brown at (618) 845-3740, extension 282.
23. Normal
- Where: 602 S. Fell St. Normal
- When: Dec. 23, 1975
- Case details: Homicide investigation of Carol Rofstad ($1,000 reward)
Carol Rofstad, who was 21 when she was killed, lived in Normal while attending Illinois State University. She was found beaten unconscious about noon Dec.23, 1975, outside her sorority house at 602 S. Fell St. The suspected murder weapon, an 18-inch piece of railroad tie, was found nearby. Rofstad wasn’t found until roughly 12 hours after the attack. She died Christmas Eve as a result of head injuries.
Two men, one of whom carried a club, were seen between 10 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. on Dec. 22, 1975. Both were white males and between the ages of 18 and 25.
At the time of the attack, most students had already left campus for the holiday break. Instead of returning to Elk Grove Village, though, Rofstad had stayed in the Twin Cities to work at a retail store. Money was found in her purse and there was no evidence of sexual assault. Two women, in the sorority house, neither saw nor heard anything unusual.Anyone with information in this case can call the Normal Police Department at (309) 454-9526, or Crime Stoppers of McLean County at (309) 828-1111.
24. Atkinson
- Where: Inside her Atkinson home
- When: Sept. 9, 1974
- Case details: Homicide investigation of Mary Ann Becker ($15,000 reward)
On Sept. 9, 1974, between the hours of 5:45 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., Mary Ann Becker was discovered dead inside her home in Atkinson. The circumstances of Mary Ann Becker’s death resulted in a homicide investigation involving multiple police agencies. The investigation into Mary Ann Becker’s death is currently ongoing. Mary Ann was a 16 year-old high school student in Atkinson at the time her life was taken.
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