IL IL - Lori Bolger, 16, South Elgin, 22 June 1976

[jadesparrow]

---VERY long time lurker, signed up to post this (Lori is my mother-in-law's cousin.)---

Lori Jean Bolger, 16, of South Elgin, was found on the grounds of the Elgin Township Estates Sewage Treatment Plant at 11:25 a.m. on June 22, 1976. She had been struck in the head 8 or 10 times with a heavy instrument, and her clothes were in disarray. She had been last seen at 9:10 a.m. after a summer class, when an instructor saw her hitchhiking outside school.

In September of that year, two men (James Martin, 21, and Robert Ikhtiari, 18) were arrested and indicted for the crime, and two other men, Gary Miller, 22, and John Rowe, 18, were charged with obstructing police investigators. A fifth male suspect, a 16 year old Chicagoan, was also sought for obstruction.
In December, Martin and Ikhtiari were released and cleared of all charges.

From a general whitepages search, it seems all 4 named suspects are still in the area. Other than that, I can honestly find nothing. I found two facebook posts with folks posting who clearly knew her and the case (someone suggested William Reinbold, an area serial killer). I can post those links, and I'm attaching the articles I've found, but any suggestions/insights would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Wilma_W]

This is so sad, especially for her mother - to lose a husband and then her daughter so close together.

Do you know if there is still a detective working on it, or a cold case unit? Would be interesting to know whether they still have the evidence - maybe they could get somewhere with new technology. If you are a relative, you can ask them directly I would think - I assume it would be the Elgin police department?

(I think posting the Facebook links would be against TOS, but you should check. I believe the only Facebook links that are okay are those from official or verified sources.)

 

[SAMS]

Redirect Notice
Reinbold had a “thing” for petite brunettes. Did Lori fit this description? He also killed his victims with blows to the head with blunt objects and no evidence of rape. Senseless. His victims were also found in close proximity to where he had attacked them. Close in age to Lori as well. Very good prospect IMO. Fits his MO.

 

[SAMS]

I’m also seeing he was suspected of attacks on women in Elgin. Is Lori one of those women?
MOO
EBM

 

[jadesparrow]

Thanks Wilma. My husband and I have started looking into who to reach out to. I'm guessing it's cold case at this point. Luckily, her mother and two siblings are still alive, so they could also be good resources, if they're open to it.
SAMS, please don't quickly dismiss this by requesting a delete or automatically linking this case to William Reinbold. Maybe he is the killer, maybe not. According to the link you attached, Lori would then be his first victim. Petite brunette sounds about right, and the bludgeoning suspicions line up as well. However, he was arrested and charged in a 1977 Harrisburg case, which is more than 350 miles south of South Elgin. Then 1978 and 1980 he was clearly in California.
The case Reinbold was convicted of was in Farmington, IL, more than 150 miles from South Elgin.
Could you explain what MOO or EBM mean? Again, I'm unfamiliar with the case. Thanks.

 

[Wilma_W]

MOO = My Opinion Only; I'm not sure what EBM is, it's not on the Websleuths Lingo list

(Websleuths Lingo)

I will keep my fingers crossed that you or another relative can find out something useful about the case!

 

[jadesparrow]

Ah! I thought they were initials...*facepalm* thanks!

 

[SAMS]

Thanks Wilma. My husband and I have started looking into who to reach out to. I'm guessing it's cold case at this point. Luckily, her mother and two siblings are still alive, so they could also be good resources, if they're open to it.
SAMS, please don't quickly dismiss this by requesting a delete or automatically linking this case to William Reinbold. Maybe he is the killer, maybe not. According to the link you attached, Lori would then be his first victim. Petite brunette sounds about right, and the bludgeoning suspicions line up as well. However, he was arrested and charged in a 1977 Harrisburg case, which is more than 350 miles south of South Elgin. Then 1978 and 1980 he was clearly in California.
The case Reinbold was convicted of was in Farmington, IL, more than 150 miles from South Elgin.
Could you explain what MOO or EBM mean? Again, I'm unfamiliar with the case. Thanks.

I deleted my post because I had asked questions before I read the articles you posted...not automatically linking Reinbold, just wanted to show you how his MO seems to fit...I will continue to help sleuth.....thank you for the clarification of her being a petite brunette...and the dates of his known whereabouts. EBM=Edited By Me....MOO=My Opinion Only...

 

[jadesparrow]

I deleted my post because I had asked questions before I read the articles you posted...not automatically linking Reinbold, just wanted to show you how his MO seems to fit...I will continue to help sleuth.....thank you for the clarification of her being a petite brunette...and the dates of his known whereabouts. EBM=Edited By Me....MOO=My Opinion Only...

thank you! I got confused about what you posted.

 

[SAMS]

thank you! I got confused about what you posted.

That’s understandable! Took me a while to learn this site when I got started. I’m hoping I can help you and your family seek justice for Lori.

 

[SAMS]

Thanks Wilma. My husband and I have started looking into who to reach out to. I'm guessing it's cold case at this point. Luckily, her mother and two siblings are still alive, so they could also be good resources, if they're open to it.
SAMS, please don't quickly dismiss this by requesting a delete or automatically linking this case to William Reinbold. Maybe he is the killer, maybe not. According to the link you attached, Lori would then be his first victim. Petite brunette sounds about right, and the bludgeoning suspicions line up as well. However, he was arrested and charged in a 1977 Harrisburg case, which is more than 350 miles south of South Elgin. Then 1978 and 1980 he was clearly in California.
The case Reinbold was convicted of was in Farmington, IL, more than 150 miles from South Elgin.
Could you explain what MOO or EBM mean? Again, I'm unfamiliar with the case. Thanks.

“If” this were Reinbold, he would be considered a serial killer at this point IMO and if you are familar with these animals they are known to move around while committing these crimes, so if he were there and murdered Lori in ‘76, he could easily have moved on to Harrisburg in ‘77. Need to do more research on my part and of course it may have been someone else. As suggested earlier, possibly LE will have it classified a cold case and might divulge “some” info to you or at least advise if it’s still being investigated...There should have been some DNA since she was found shortly after. MOO. You may want to become a verified insider since you are a relative and you’ll be able to post info without having to supply links for verification like the rest of us. Just an idea. It helps to supply us with the info needed to assist in sleuthing the case.
MOO

 

[SAMS]

I grew up in Illinois and am familiar with Farmington but not so much Elgin and I have traveled through the area several times.

 

[SAMS]

1976 Press Photo LORI BOLGER GIRL FOUND DEATH
Have LE recovered her bag? Also, did they ever release the results of the lab-rape test? Here it says that she was found by workmen and a waitress at the donut shop around the corner saw her there/leaving alone, so she wasn’t abducted on site at the school.

 

[SAMS]

Redirect Notice

IMO Reinbold was lucky with the law and certainly not your typical offender. He didn’t stick with one MO. He attacked his victims with knives/chemicals/blunt objects and it seems his acts were not sexually driven. Makes me more curious to know if Lori was sexually assaulted. His hate for women is unbelievable. He should’ve been locked up for life the first time. MOO

 

[jadesparrow]

Hi SAMS,
After reaching out to Kane County police, they took some time but confirmed the Elgin police took jurisdiction of this case in the 80s. I still haven't heard from the Elgin police, but I'm planning to circle back to them.

 

[SAMS]

Hi SAMS,
After reaching out to Kane County police, they took some time but confirmed the Elgin police took jurisdiction of this case in the 80s. I still haven't heard from the Elgin police, but I'm planning to circle back to them.

Thank you for touching base. I believe Wilma suggested that Elgin may have the case, she was right. Please let us know when you’ve gotten in touch with them and I plan to do some more research on this case this week so I can help in any way.

 

[SAMS]

Hi SAMS,
After reaching out to Kane County police, they took some time but confirmed the Elgin police took jurisdiction of this case in the 80s. I still haven't heard from the Elgin police, but I'm planning to circle back to them.

Anything from the Elgin police?

 

[SAMS]

Thanks Wilma. My husband and I have started looking into who to reach out to. I'm guessing it's cold case at this point. Luckily, her mother and two siblings are still alive, so they could also be good resources, if they're open to it.
SAMS, please don't quickly dismiss this by requesting a delete or automatically linking this case to William Reinbold. Maybe he is the killer, maybe not. According to the link you attached, Lori would then be his first victim. Petite brunette sounds about right, and the bludgeoning suspicions line up as well. However, he was arrested and charged in a 1977 Harrisburg case, which is more than 350 miles south of South Elgin. Then 1978 and 1980 he was clearly in California.
The case Reinbold was convicted of was in Farmington, IL, more than 150 miles from South Elgin.
Could you explain what MOO or EBM mean? Again, I'm unfamiliar with the case. Thanks.

You mentioned that her mother and also two of her siblings are still alive. I read that one of her brothers passed away in ‘04, sadly.
Have you made any contact with them as of yet? Hope you are doing well. MOO

 

[SAMS]

Just stopping by to check on any updates.

 

[SAMS]

Checking in for Lori.....