IL IL - Debbie Fijan, 10, DuPage County, 11 Feb 1966 - #1

[Cubby]

I've called every realtor I know going back to doing business in this area. Back to 76' Those from the early 70's.... Nice to catch up with some old friends. Nice to recall even when Shaumburg was the boonies...

off to make a few more calls.

If nothing else , all these calls from old schoolers are bringing back attention to Debbies case.

I also tried Viola Morrosroe who I once worked with who was mayor of Bloomingdale IL about the same time Jane Byrne was mayor of Chicago... Vi passed away at the young age of 71. Man and she was cool. That blonde lady who always remembered my name....

I'm digging as far back as I can..... still digging.....

Oh and by the way, Shimp... he passed too. so no seeing if he was still alive to call. No t'ree stooges jokes with that name, but wow... ;

I will find someone...

Cubby, aka the blonde polish catholic with the 'spoon as one mentioned a spoon way back....

 

[rpipergirl]

Wow just read the articles. In one it said they thought the box with the baby had evidence from Debbie's case. I am not buying it. They had to have looked under the cloth or at least smelled the decomposing baby even half frozen. I do believe that they brought it to their lawyer to play a game of CYA. Cubby,the baby was found on Kline and another road according to one of the articles the one that said they took it their lawyers office. Dose Kline rd mean anything to you?

 

[Cubby]

http://www.elyrics.net/read/p/police-lyrics/dont-stand-so-close-lyrics.html

I hope LS reads my posts...... and knows Debbie is not forgotten.
and LS, I hope you have not taken communion... I have my reasons, you have yours. Becaause when it comes down to it, all the good works in the world don't make up for the difference between truth and lies.. You have two women who know the truth, your baby girl met Debbie and she too knows the truth..... and we all only want the truth... innocent until proven gilty.

Young teacher, the subject
Of schoolgirl fantasy
She wants him so badly
Knows what she wants to be
Inside her there's longing
This girls an open page
Book marking - she's so close now
This girl is half his age

Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me

Her friends are so jealous
You know how bad girls get
Sometimes it's not so easy
To be the teachers pet
Temptation, frustration
So bad it makes him cry
Wet bus stop, she's waiting
His car is warm and dry

Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me

Loose talk in the classroom
To hurt they try and try
Strong words in the staffroom
The accusations fly
Its no use, he sees her
He starts to shake and cough
Just like the old man in
That book by nabakov

Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me

Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me

I liked this song when I was a tad bit older than 10.

 

[Cubby]

LINK
http://www.kovideo.net/in-the-air-tonight-lyrics-phil-collins-598228.html

I can feel it comin' in the air tonight oh lord
I've been waitin' for this moment all my life oh lord
Can you feel it comin' in the air tonight oh lord?
Oh lord

Well if you told me you were drowning
I would not lend a hand
I've seen your face before my friend
But i don't know if you know who i am?

(snip)


Well i was there and i saw what you did
I saw it with my own two eyes
So you can wipe off that grin
Know where you've been
It's all been a pack of lies

(snip)

Well i remember i remember don't worry
How could i ever forget?

It's the first time and the last time we ever met
But i have know the reason why you keep your silence oh

No you don't fool me
'cause the hurt doesn't show
The pain still grows
It's stranger to you and me


In Memory of Debbie Fijan

 

[Abbey5]

Well, I read an article in the Daily Herald (Chicago) Feb. 17, 1966 that finally gave more answers to the white car. A witness stated he had seen a girl he believed to be Debbie talking to a man in a white car matching the description of Schofield's car. There you go Cubbby, it was Schofield's car.

This article also answered another question. Hopf reported that when Schofield was requested Monday to bring in the clothes he wore on Friday, he and his wife Mary Ann, were found to have switched the clothes. I wish they would have stated how they knew this and if they did anything about it.

During the first polygraph test that Schofield took he reacted strongly when confronted with a mounted duck that Debbie had taken to school on Friday for show and tell. This mounted duck was found along with her books near her body. I had never heard about this duck before. But I remember reading an article that said feathers were found in Schofields car and wondered what the heck that meant.

Sheriff's detectives did go back to the school and found charred remains of a number of pictures of nude women in the school incinerator. Schofield explained his action by saying that he didn't want to become implicated in an investigation. Capt. Mertes and Sgt Rowe reasoned that his action took place some two hours in advance of the discovery of Debbie's body. Schofield did confess that he enjoyed looking at "girlie pictures" and he day-dreamed about his pupils. He told LE that, "I'm sick. I need help. I shouldn't be on the streets. I don't want to go home". Capt Mertes stated that it was very strange that Schofield remembered everything on Sat & Sun but on Monday couldn't remember anything that happened.

The location on Lies Road, east of Fair Oaks Road, the Benjamin School and the Fijan home are all within a square mile of each other.

Schofield lived at 4N512 Gary Ave., Cloverdale. Which I think is really Bloomingdale. And the Schofield farm was on Fair Oaks north of Lies Road. Since, Schofield said he had taken Debbie home before, the route he took home goes past where her body was found and really close to his fathers farm.

Capt Mertes grew up in the area and had known the Schofield family for years. And I read in another article the Schofields had sold eggs from their farm to the local jail that they used to feed the inmates.

This article answered a lot of questions that I had. It seems to me that LE had gathered a lot of evidence. Why this case never made it to court is beyond me. Even if they didn't have a written confession or a murder weapon, they had a ton on this guy. Maybe, his father's postition in the community did hold a lot of weight.

 

[shadowangel]

What's known about the district attorney who brought the case before the grand jury? Was he new? Was this his first case? I can only think that he presented a very weak case, presented it poorly, or was afraid of presenting everything he had.

Grand jury standards are quite different from actual jury trials. As the character Jack McKoy from Law and Order once stated, "I can get a ham sandwich indicted". To not get an indictment in this case, bringing it before a jury, boggles my mind. Truly.

 

[Cubby]

Well, I read an article in the Daily Herald (Chicago) Feb. 17, 1966 that finally gave more answers to the white car. A witness stated he had seen a girl he believed to be Debbie talking to a man in a white car matching the description of Schofield's car. There you go Cubbby, it was Schofield's car.

This article also answered another question. Hopf reported that when Schofield was requested Monday to bring in the clothes he wore on Friday, he and his wife Mary Ann, were found to have switched the clothes. I wish they would have stated how they knew this and if they did anything about it.

During the first polygraph test that Schofield took he reacted strongly when confronted with a mounted duck that Debbie had taken to school on Friday for show and tell. This mounted duck was found along with her books near her body. I had never heard about this duck before. But I remember reading an article that said feathers were found in Schofields car and wondered what the heck that meant.

Sheriff's detectives did go back to the school and found charred remains of a number of pictures of nude women in the school incinerator. Schofield explained his action by saying that he didn't want to become implicated in an investigation. Capt. Mertes and Sgt Rowe reasoned that his action took place some two hours in advance of the discovery of Debbie's body. Schofield did confess that he enjoyed looking at "girlie pictures" and he day-dreamed about his pupils. He told LE that, "I'm sick. I need help. I shouldn't be on the streets. I don't want to go home". Capt Mertes stated that it was very strange that Schofield remembered everything on Sat & Sun but on Monday couldn't remember anything that happened.

The location on Lies Road, east of Fair Oaks Road, the Benjamin School and the Fijan home are all within a square mile of each other.

Schofield lived at 4N512 Gary Ave., Cloverdale. Which I think is really Bloomingdale. And the Schofield farm was on Fair Oaks north of Lies Road. Since, Schofield said he had taken Debbie home before, the route he took home goes past where her body was found and really close to his fathers farm.

Capt Mertes grew up in the area and had known the Schofield family for years. And I read in another article the Schofields had sold eggs from their farm to the local jail that they used to feed the inmates.

This article answered a lot of questions that I had. It seems to me that LE had gathered a lot of evidence. Why this case never made it to court is beyond me. Even if they didn't have a written confession or a murder weapon, they had a ton on this guy. Maybe, his father's postition in the community did hold a lot of weight.

Wow!

Yes, that specific address on Gary Avenue, which is now Old Gary Ave is Bloomingdale.

So we have witnesses that saw Debbie talking to a man in a white car that matches the description of Shofields car. Another witness sees Debbie getting into this white car a half a block or so from the school. A man who makes a statement about 'daydreaming' about his students and then feathers are found in his car and Debbie is found with a mounted duck she brought to school for show and tell on the friday she was murdered.

Even without a murder weapon it seems clear to me that if LE could prove those feathers found in his car matched the feathers from the mounted duck she had taken to school we can place Debbie in LS's car on the day she was murdered. Imo, those feathers are the key to proving Debbie was in his car on the day she was murdered.

Not to mention, it really sounds like he premeditated or was grooming her to try and molest her. It is very odd that neither she or her mom were aware of the basketball game that afternoon. Makes me wonder if LS deliberately told the regular timekeeper he didn't need them to keep time that day, and this gave him the opportunity to get Debbie alone late in the school day when everyone else would have been gone. Did Debbie really tell LS her mom was called to come back and pick her up, or did Debbies mom notice the time thinking it was later than it should be for Debbie to be home, even after a game, so she went to see where Debbie was without being called? Just because LS said Debbied told him her mother was called, doesn't make it so.

LS is still alive, so it is not too late to prosecute him now. There is no statute of limitations on murder. I wonder if DuPage still has the evidence in this case. If so, I see no reason to not bring this case back to a priority.

Whatever influence the Schofield family had back then they don't any more, that is long since gone. It would be kind of like my family's former ties with the first mayor Daley. Doesn't mean a thing now.

I talked to an LE friend in the area and he is gonna see what he can do to look into this. He is not with DuPage, but perhaps he will have influence on getting DuPage to take another serious look at this case now.

I hope and pray DuPage still has the evidence for this case.

 

[Cubby]

What's known about the district attorney who brought the case before the grand jury? Was he new? Was this his first case? I can only think that he presented a very weak case, presented it poorly, or was afraid of presenting everything he had.

Grand jury standards are quite different from actual jury trials. As the character Jack McKoy from Law and Order once stated, "I can get a ham sandwich indicted". To not get an indictment in this case, bringing it before a jury, boggles my mind. Truly.

It may very well have been LS's fathers influence. These are really good questions, but I think what is most important is the original people investigating this case are no longer involved. If DuPage still has the evidence, we need to see what we can do to get them to look at this case from square one and go over everything they have with a fine tooth comb. It boggles my mind too, and it boggles my mind that if DuPage still has all the evidence they couldn't easily get a conviction, even without a murder weapon. Heck, in this day and age people can get murders convicted without a body. The lack of the murder weapon with all the other evidence, if it still exists, should not be a problem.

jmo

 

[Cubby]

I also have to wonder if the interviews and interogation of LS were taped back then. If so, I think those tapes would go a long way in court.

I'm still blown away by the information Abbey found indicating feathers were found in LS's car. Feathers that almost certainly were from the mounted duck Debbie brought to school that day.

I keep telling myself I don't care how inept the investigation was back then... if they still have the evidence now, I want this case reviewed and I want to see if there is enough with todays forensics to charge and convict LS. Or at least let todays forensics prove scientifically LS was not involved, end the speculation. However I do not think that would happen and I think with todays forensics it can be proven LS did murder Debbie.

jmo

 

[Cubby]

I'd also like to know if DuPage took photographs of the scratches on LS's hands. maybe they were inflicted from Debbie. Maybe they were from the knife.

 

[Cubby]

Wow just read the articles. In one it said they thought the box with the baby had evidence from Debbie's case. I am not buying it. They had to have looked under the cloth or at least smelled the decomposing baby even half frozen. I do believe that they brought it to their lawyer to play a game of CYA. Cubby,the baby was found on Kline and another road according to one of the articles the one that said they took it their lawyers office. Dose Kline rd mean anything to you?

Klein Road is the first N/S running street one block west of Fair Oaks Rd.

hth

 

[shadowangel]

At the very least, the case can be brought before another grand jury to see if there is enough to continue toward prosecution.

 

[dfijan]

This is Jack Fijan (52). I am the younger brother of Debbie Fijan. Debbie was about 1.5 years older than me (now I am the oldest). I stumbled across this blog by ‘Googling’ my name. Wow, what a surprise!
My parents, brother, and three sisters are all doing well. We still think about Debbie often. In June, 1968, my family moved to Florida to get away from it all.
About seven years ago, two detectives went to my parent’s house for hair samples (to establish DNA). Those detectives are no longer on the case and the case has gone cold again.
We would love to see LS see justice for what he did but we are not sure how to make it happen. It’s not easy for my parents to talk about this. And, as you can imagine, it still haunts my mom.
On a God note, 12 years ago I married a woman named Debbie and adopted her infant son. Debbie’s son has the same birthday as my sister Debbie. My mom said it was like God bringing some healing by bringing Debbie back into the family. God has blessed my parents with 24 grandchildren.
Thank you for your time and interest in this case!!!!!!! I am going to tell my parents and siblings about this site so you will hear more from us in the near future.

 

[Cubby]

Welcome to WS Jack. I'm sorry your family has yet to see justice for the loss of your sister. I can assure you, we will do whatever we can to generate more interest in your sisters case and hopefully get DuPage to look again.

I added a little info about Debbie's case to my facebook page today. Just to get more people to know and maybe come here to WS and join us.

I have one police officer from Glendale Heights - who I caught his ear and he asked me some questions about your sisters case and the spelling of your last name. Maybe he can help with getting DuPages attention.

I'm hoping we can get the Daily Herald to write another article too.

When you mentioned the two detectives who were working on your sisters case are no longer working on the case does that mean they are no longer with DuPage? Or did DuPage close the cold case unit? Thank you for whatever information you can provide.

You and your family are in our prayers.

 

[shadowangel]

I just want to add a big "ditto" to everything Cubby said. We'll continue to do all we can to seek justice for Debbie.

In an earlier article from 2004 that I linked, two detectives from DuPage are mentioned as working on Debbie's case--a T Garlisch and a J Dalgiudice. I have no idea if either are still active with the department.

DuPage County's website still lists a Cold Case unit (Debbie's case is listed there).
http://www.co.dupage.il.us/sheriff/unsolved%20murders.htm

 

[Abbey5]

Welcome Jack! I'm so glad that you happened to run across this website. All of us want justice for Debbie. This case tears at my heart.

Wow, you married a woman named Debbie and her son has the same birthday as Debbie..that's amazing! I'm glad that your Mom found some healing in that.

Like Cubby & shadowangel said we'll all do what we can to seek justice for Debbie.

 

[Cubby]

I was also thinking maybe with family calling DuPage or writing DuPage that might too put pressure on them to look at this case again.

I mean no disrespect with the following comment, but all I can think is DuPage may be thinking the prime suspect is no longer in the state, nor is family. I know that is a terrible thought, but it has crossed my mind as to why DuPage might not make this a higher priority.

I've heard the DuPage County cold case unit is no longer active, but I don't know if that is rumor or not.

Do we know if the Daily Herald journalist Zimmerman, who wrote a story about Debbie several years ago when the cold case unit was opened in DuPage is still around?

Abbey, I was curious about the farm and digging found this article, a ptv, can you read it and see if this is the same schofield family? Did they abandon the barn soon after this happened? or different family entirely?

Other 74 -- No Title
[SIZE=-1]Pay-Per-View - Chicago Tribune - ProQuest Archiver[SIZE=-1] - Nov 30, 1969[/SIZE]
[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]... on a cold siding in West Chicago that fills me with such nameless joy? ... When Sam Schofield returns for a look at the family farm, abandoned for over ... [/SIZE]

 

[Cubby]

What's known about the district attorney who brought the case before the grand jury? Was he new? Was this his first case? I can only think that he presented a very weak case, presented it poorly, or was afraid of presenting everything he had.

Grand jury standards are quite different from actual jury trials. As the character Jack McKoy from Law and Order once stated, "I can get a ham sandwich indicted". To not get an indictment in this case, bringing it before a jury, boggles my mind. Truly.

A google search of Hopfs name shows he was with DuPage going back to at least 1961 as an ASA. He wasn't a newbie when he brought Debbies case to the GJ.

 

[shadowangel]

Is it possible that the transcripts of the grand jury proceedings are available for review?

I'm guessing not, upon reviewing this excerpt from the 18th Judicial Circuit Court (DuPage County) instructions for grand jurors...

"..Unlike many governmental bodies whose actions must be taken openly and their deliberations conducted openly, the grand jury conducts its proceedings in the strictest secrecy. No one but the Prosecutor, a stenographic reporter, the witnesses, or other persons authorized by the Court or by law are allowed to be present in the jury room. In furtherance of justice and upon grounds of public policy, the law requires that the proceedings of grand juries shall be regarded as privileged communications. The secrets of the grand jury room shall not be revealed, except by the Prosecutor solely in the performance of his or her duties, when the Court directs otherwise in the interest of justice, or when a law authorizes the disclosure. As a grand juror, therefore, you should adhere strictly to this rule of secrecy."

 

[Cubby]

Abbey,
I caught another bit of a p-t-v article which stated the feathers were in LS's trunk. If they can be proven to be the same what good reason would they have to be in LS's trunk?

It's dumbfounding to me this case wasn't solved a long time ago. Maybe the forensics are what will solve it now. I can only hope and pray.