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

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  • #641
Would it be wrong for me to say I wonder if there might one day be a death bed confession in this case? Well, I do. It would be one way this case could be resolved.
 
  • #642
Cubby, I have researched this case for a very long time but I am not LE. If I were a certain person and innocent I would offer a swab. I guess, the next best thing is a death bed confession. I know you have followed this case for a long time too....it is frustrating. I guess it all comes down to money...why not just go down there and get a swab from him?
 
  • #643
I dont know if LE can compel any persons of interest to provide a dna sample without somekind of order of the court. It doesn't appear anyone who is a possible poi is interested in providing a sample voluntarily.

I'd like to say if I were in those shoes I would do everthing I could to cooperate with LE to rule myself out.

We don't know what evidence LE might have in this case. There are lots of ways to collect dna from cigarette butts to envelopes to discarded water bottles. I don't think it's a matter of money, but rather getting enough evidence in front of the prosecutor to have a convictable case. I think there are quite a few cases LE knows who did it, but are still in the process of gathering enough evidence to ensure a conviction.

What's the saying? All it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing. Evil isn't going to prevail in this case forever.
 
  • #644
It's my understanding, that a DNA sample can easily be obtained, as Cubby mentioned above; even if it has to be done surreptitiously. After almost 50 years, who cares about permission for a swab. I think it can even be done or obtained by the local law enforcement officials (e.g. State of Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, etc.) via some sort of written ??? from the DPCSO. It's just a matter of learning and establishing the daily routine of a potential suspect. I still believe that that DPCSO, DuPage County, etc. is concerned about any potential lawsuit(s) that could be brought against them by LS. He tried it before back in 1966 to the tune of $2 million for defamation of character(?), and it was thrown out. The other hurdle is verifying and confirming that the suspect's DNA can be found on Debbie's body - under fingernails(?), clothing. Obviously Debbie's body would have to be exhumed.
 
  • #645
It's my understanding, that a DNA sample can easily be obtained, as Cubby mentioned below; even if it has to be done surreptitiously. After almost 50 years, who cares about permission for a swab. I think it can even be done or obtained by the local law enforcement officials (e.g. State of Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, etc.) via some sort of written ??? from the DPCSO. It's just a matter of learning and establishing the daily routine of a potential suspect. I still believe that that DPCSO, DuPage County, etc. is concerned about any potential lawsuit(s) that could be brought against them by LS. He tried it before back in 1966 to the tune of $2 million for defamation of character(?), and it was thrown out. The other hurdle is verifying and confirming that the suspect's DNA can be found on Debbie's body - under fingernails(?), clothing. Obviously Debbie's body would have to be exhumed.
 
  • #646
  • #647
Does anyone know what Debbie's middle name was? I don't recall seeing it in any of the Trib. archives, or any of the WS posts.
 
  • #648
There is a findagrave link for Debbie. It lists her middle name as Lou. (There is some inaccurate information at findagrave with an inaccurate photo and an inaccurate message about the body being lost or destroyed. It's disturbing to read considering her burial information was found online elsewhere. )

Sadly, it also lists both of Debbie's parents as deceased. Her mother in 2014 and her father a few months ago in July. Sad they both passed without seeing justice for Debbie. They do know now who is responsible for Debbie's murder. In fact, I believe everyone who has passed and sought answers for this case now have them. I hope they rest peacefully knowing the fight for justice for Debbie did not end with their passing. We'll continue to seek justice for Debbie for as long as it takes.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=103755921
 
  • #649
Here is her burial information from her obit:

Chicago Tribune (IL) - February 13, 1966
Fijan
Deceased Name: Debbie Lou Fijan
Debbie Lou Fijan , age 10, of West Chicago, darling daughter of Jack and Marilyn; dear sister of Jackie, Sharon, Linda, Bobby; granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Jensen and Mr. and Mrs. Sam Fijan . Visitation after 3 p.m., Sunday, at the Leonard Memorial Home, 565 Duane street, Glen Ellyn. Funeral service Monday, 1:30 p.m., at chapel. Interment Irving Park cemetery. 469-0032.

I remembered this being posted.
 
  • #650
Thank you Cubby. That was sad news about Mr. & Mrs. Fijan. If I remember correctly, Debbie's mother was only 1 yr. older than LS (d.o.b. 1938 vs. 1939). The comments that Mrs. Fijan directed towards LS in 1966 were well deserved. I hope that Debbie's siblings are still following WS.
 
  • #651
Some of this might be duplication from a previous post. If so, I apologize. LS and his wife had 4 daughters after Debbie was murdered. One of them may have been born at or near the time of Debbie's death. The youngest (Joanna) drowned in 1978 on her 2nd birthday. Their oldest son was born before Debbie's death. While none of my business, I still wonder if LS and his wife had planned to have a larger family, or if there was a sense of guilt and remorse with and after Debbie's death. Yes, I realize that families back then were larger as opposed today.
 
  • #652
LS made donations in 2006 & 2007, $1K each year, to St. Catherine of Genoa Catholic Church. This donation went to two parishioners for their work with the religious education program, and it was named the "Loren S. Award". LS's youngest daughter Joanna is buried at the SC of GCC cemetery, and I believe LS's mother, Edna (Klein) S. is also buried here. I do not know where LS's wife Maryanne was buried. She died in 2002 at the age of 65. What I found a bit unusual, is that LS was the only parent listed on the church cemetery record for Joanna. Her grave marker had her name, along with a partial reference to Luke 18:16 - "But Jesus called for them, saying, Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these". Was LS thinking about Debbie when he selected this verse for Joanna's grave marker? Were LS's donations to SC of GCC out of the goodness of his heart, a feeling of guilt for taking someone away, or a gesture on his part to make people think that he's a good person? To me, it seems like another form of deception on LS's part, something that he has been doing since 02/11/66. Does anyone know where Maryanne S. is buried? Please post if you do.
 
  • #653
Mr. George K. (1871-1952), LS's maternal grandfather, owned a great deal of land in DPC. If I recall, it was well over 500 acres. Most, if not all of this, was passed down to other family members before or after he died - though unconfirmed. Some of this information might be part of Mr. K's Estate File - DuPage County Estate File (Probate, #16230). If still available, "following the money" might shed some light on the importance of protecting the K/Edna S. (and others) family name. The approx. value of JS & Edna's 90 acres when sold to the DPC Forest Preserve in the 70's was $650,000.00. If the Grand Jury had determined that there was enough evidence to proceed with a Jury Trial, it could have been extremely costly - financially, the reputation of the "K/S - Edna (LS's mother)" name, the value and sale of all property, and future elections for Highway Commissioner. WHO SAT ON THE GRAND JURY!! I know, sadly and supposedly, Grand Jury lists are sealed and can't be released. As Bart Simpson would say: "What a load of crappy, crap, crap"!! Isn't there a Statute of Limitations on the release of Grand Jury lists? Especially after 50 years. I will continue to think and pray about Debbie, and I make no apologies for "grasping at straws" with my posts.
 
  • #654
Funny you mention the K side of the family. I had to take a trip to the courthouse today and thought about this case when I drove past the Klein Creek Golf Club.

I'm stuck on wondering if Debbie's blood was on those burnt clothes turned over to i vestigators. That question is going to drive me nuts.
 
  • #655
Thank you Cubby. Not that it's that critical to anything, but the GK property I referenced above was in Wayne Township, along with another parcel on the south side of 64 - west of County Farm Rd. Klein Creek vs. Kline Creek - rather odd how the two are marked on some of the maps. When Klein Creek passes at Cnty. Farm Rd., it changes names to Kline Creek, the Kline Farm property. I'm sure you know the area, and if I recall, Klein vs. Kline was mentioned in a previous post. Your question about Debbie's blood on burnt clothing is very justified. Unfortunately, the entire crime scene, evidence, and documentation was compromised (personal opinion); including 🤬🤬🤬🤬 material that was placed in the incinerator at Benjamin School. Does anyone know if LS had previous run-ins with the Police before Debbie's death? If so, maybe JS was able to keep it quiet.
 
  • #656
I'm pretty certain LS didn't have any previous run ins with police. I'd have to go back and review the earliest posts, but I seem to recall his being noticably absent in online info regarding an older brothers wedding.
 
  • #657
  • #658
COINCIDENCE, GUILT, OR REMORSE?? You decide.
Feb. 11, 1966 - Debbie was murdered
Feb. 14, 1966 - LS turns 27 while in jail
Feb, 17, 2007 - One of two $1,000.00 donations given by LS to St. Catherine's of Genoa Catholic Church (Genoa, Illinois)

See 12/13/15 post above
 
  • #659
Bump for Debbie
 
  • #660
We're approaching 50 years that Debbie's case has gone unsolved. Very, very, sad. I enjoy watching Law & Order (SVU, Criminal Intent), Dateline, 48 Hours, etc. No matter if the program is fictional (L & O) or fact (Dateline, 48 Hrs.), there always seems to be an element that helps find and convict the criminal (e.g. new set of eyes that looks at the evidence, old/new witness,etc.). I've probably read, heard, or watched TV programs involving about 5-10 cold cases greater than 15 years old that have been recently solved. If in fact anyone from the DPCSO is devoting any time to Debbie's case, maybe he or she could glean something from these TV programs (fact or fiction). I still wonder, after all this time, if the DPCSO was instructed over the years to leave Debbie's case alone.
 
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