IL IL - Debbie Fijan, 10, DuPage County, 11 Feb 1966 - #2

[Cubby]

IDK if the authorities have DNA from Debbie's killer. I know they have collected DNA from Debbie's family, but who knows if anything is in Codis for her killer.

There are so many cases where the victim is now being exhumed to see if DNA evidence could be collected. As morbid as it might sound, if it was an option for Debbie's case, I wish the authorities would do it with the families permission.

 

[Chicago273]

I dont believe that Jones had anything to do with Debbie's case, he would of been only 12 or 13 at the time.. My hope is that lightning strikes TWICE this year for the Dupage Cold Case Detectives and the arrest of LS finally comes to be... I have said and firmly believe that exhuming Debbie's body might lead to DNA..

 

[Cubby]

No, Jones wouldn't have had anything to do with it. I don't think anyone who was of student age had anything to do with it. There were fibers found on Debbie's boots which indicate she was in a vehicle prior to being found. There is also evidence of Debbie's boot tracks on St. Charles Rd. heading away from her school towards Fair Oaks Rd. Those boot prints stop where a witness saw someone who resembled Debbie wearing the same kind of coat Debbie wore talking to a man in a white car just after she left the school.

Whoever murdered Debbie drove a white car that afternoon and picked her up on St. Charles between the school and Fair Oaks Rd within minutes after she left the school yard.

 

[Cubby]

Thank you for taking an interest in Debbie's case Chicago273.

 

[Kayo - 55]

Thank you for taking an interest in Debbie's case Chicago273.

Thank you Chicago273. The work, effort, and time that was spent on Kristina's case by the DPCSO deserves a great deal of praise. I would think that Kristina's family has a certain degree of relief that her killer has been caught. I will remain confident and optimistic that Debbie's killer will also be caught. I would encourage all "sleuther's" that are following Debbie's case to send a note, email, etc. to the DPCSO and let them know how appreciative you are that they were able to apprehend Kristina's killer. Also, encourage them to continue their work on Debbie's case.

 

[Cubby]

Thinking back to the fibers on Debbie's boots, how do we know the floormats weren't switched out before evidence techs obtained a sample of the fibers from LS's car? Especially considering his clothing had been switched out and burnt prior to being handed over to the sheriffs office.

What about the color of the fibers? Did the color of the fibers rule out the other two poi's interviewed who also had a white car?

I also wish we knew what time the college aged neighbor who found Debbie arrived home from college that day. We know he was home for the weekend, when did he arrive home?

 

[scmom]

Finally finished reading. Praying for justice for Debbie.

 

[pleasestandby]

I also wish we knew what time the college aged neighbor who found Debbie arrived home from college that day. We know he was home for the weekend, when did he arrive home?

If I were home from college for the weekend, I'd be spending most of my time with my girlfriend.

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm176/pleasestandby2/verivefound_zps4nphk2ag.jpg

Other unrelated (unrelated to Cubby's query) articles of interest:

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm176/pleasestandby2/lorenrelation_zpsxxqz1wms.jpg

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm176/pleasestandby2/babydoeinbox_zpsjkvyyaac.jpg

 

[Abbey5]

pleasestandby, I know it takes time but if you go back and read through all the treads you will find lots of info. I'm happy to see some new interest in this case.

 

[Abbey5]

I have always thought and probably stated here that this case can be solved by the DNA. I know some of the evidence was compromised but I think they have enough to convict.

 

[Cubby]

I have always thought and probably stated here that this case can be solved by the DNA. I know some of the evidence was compromised but I think they have enough to convict.

I do too. It's just a matter of whether or not dna is too degraded. That's always a possible problem with older cases. Plus there would be reason for transfer dna to be on Debbie simply because of her contact at school. With DNA found, how would one prove the transfer occured as a result of murder or simple contact at school?

 

[Abbey5]

You brings up some good points Cubby. I think if they have enough DNA that they won't have a problem convincing a jury that it was not simple contact or transfer. I'm going to go back through my files on this case in the next week.

 

[Kayo - 55]

Does anyone really believe or think that there could have been another suspect in this case, other than the original suspect (see/refer to the Chicago Tribune Archives and articles - e.g. "We've Got Our Man", etc.)? Having lived in the area, and having been a classmate of Debbie, I find it very difficult to believe that anyone, with the exception of LS, would leave Debbie's body within a 1-2 mile radius from where she was murdered and lived. Unfortunately, Debbie wasn't found soon enough, but at least she was found. It seems that in similar cases, victims are usually left miles and miles from where the incident occurs, in hopes that they're not found.
LS had a limited amount of time. Had this been anyone else but LS, there's a good chance that Debbie might not have been found for a very long time. If I recall, there was a previous post regarding the collection of DNA from Debbie. I think some of Debbie's hair samples were collected (per a post by a brother), and there may have been some discussion about exhuming Debbie's body. I'm sure that would be a very difficult family decision, and I would certainly respect their decision. Most likely, DNA from a suspect would still remain under fingernails if there was a struggle. Please understand that most of what I've posted is "opinion and speculation". I'm not an expert in Forensics. I just know from what I've read, heard, or seen; that cold cases that are >30 years old are currently being solved when DNA is collected, matched, etc. I remain very optimistic that Debbie's case will be solved. Keep Debbie and her family in your prayers.

 

[Kayo - 55]

As most of you "sleuths" know, there have been breaks with a number of cold cases in the last 6 months; most recently the Kristina W. case in Glen Ellyn, IL., and I also read about 3 cases in Wisconsin. Whenever I read or hear about these cases that are solved and an arrest is made, I just about break down each time. Most likely, you also know that LS's father drowned while on a fishing trip in Canada in 1967, not that long after Debbie was murdered. LS also had a daughter that drowned on her 2nd birthday in August of 1978. Please continue to think about Debbie, and keep her in your prayers.

 

[Kayo - 55]

Thinking of Debbie today, which would have been her 60th birthday. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

 

[Cubby]

I've been thinking about Debbie for days. I'm also thinking about the advances in forensic technology since we began sleuthing Debbie's case here at WS. I'm hoping these new technologies will benefit solving this case and bring justice for Debbie and her family.

 

[Cubby]

Does anyone really believe or think that there could have been another suspect in this case, other than the original suspect (see/refer to the Chicago Tribune Archives and articles - e.g. "We've Got Our Man", etc.)? Having lived in the area, and having been a classmate of Debbie, I find it very difficult to believe that anyone, with the exception of LS, would leave Debbie's body within a 1-2 mile radius from where she was murdered and lived. Unfortunately, Debbie wasn't found soon enough, but at least she was found. It seems that in similar cases, victims are usually left miles and miles from where the incident occurs, in hopes that they're not found. LS had a limited amount of time. Had this been anyone else but LS,

RSBMI've given this some serious thought. We know from msm LE interviewed 3 poi's. The school janitor, LS and the neighbor who found Debbie. There is little information about the janitor other than he was quwstioned and released. The neighbor who found her was questioned, (I believe) because he too had a white car. What makes me doubt his involvement is the proximity from where Debbie was found to his home. It's just too close between the two locations.As for LS, there is just so many unanswered questions about he and his wifes odd behavior. The dishonesty especially. Why would someone who doesn't want to be implicated lie about their route home the evening of Debbie's murder and why would Mrs. LS burn the clothing he was wearing during the time Debbie was murdered? Innocent people do not need to lie about their whereabouts, nor do they need to burn clothing LE has requested. Why are those questions still unresolved almost a half century later?We know stastically stranger abduction and murder is very rare and the last person to see a murder victim is usually the perpetrator. According to msm, LS was the last person to see Debbie alive.

 

[Kayo - 55]

RSBMI've given this some serious thought. We know from msm LE interviewed 3 poi's. The school janitor, LS and the neighbor who found Debbie. There is little information about the janitor other than he was quwstioned and released. The neighbor who found her was questioned, (I believe) because he too had a white car. What makes me doubt his involvement is the proximity from where Debbie was found to his home. It's just too close between the two locations.As for LS, there is just so many unanswered questions about he and his wifes odd behavior. The dishonesty especially. Why would someone who doesn't want to be implicated lie about their route home the evening of Debbie's murder and why would Mrs. LS burn the clothing he was wearing during the time Debbie was murdered? Innocent people do not need to lie about their whereabouts, nor do they need to burn clothing LE has requested. Why are those questions still unresolved almost a half century later?We know stastically stranger abduction and murder is very rare and the last person to see a murder victim is usually the perpetrator. According to msm, LS was the last person to see Debbie alive.

Thank you Cubby. I couldn't agree with you more. I continue to think that some influential individuals "leaned" on others involved with Debbie's case that prevented Debbie's case from going to a jury trial. Mysteriously?, it ended with the Grand Jury. Hmm...... Another WHY, besides the ones you've mentioned above: WHY did LS pack up and leave DP County if he was innocent (rhetorical, since all sleuther's know the answer). Either way, guilty or innocent, he would not have been able to survive the press, the potential "harassment", dirty looks, the talking/whispering behind his back when out in public, etc. - not to mention the potential "abuse/bullying" his children might encounter.

 

[Cubby]

I have to wonder if Debbie's blood may have been on the clothing worn by LS. I wonder if today's technology could make that determination.

DuPage county officials believe this case is solvable, otherwise it would not have made the county cold case website.

 

[Kayo - 55]

"Man is not what he thinks he is, he is what he hides".