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

[Kayo - 55]

"There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest". Author: Elie Wiesel

Thinking about, and remembering Debbie today.

 

[Cubby]

As the anniversary of Debbie's murder approached, I was sad that yet another year has gone by with no answers. I wondered if those answers are ever going to come and the cowardly responsible would ever face justice.

A recent break in a cold case in the news has again given me renewed hope:

Break in ‘unholy’ cold case: Police arrest former beauty queen’s priest in her 1960 killing

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...mer-beauty-queens-priest-in-her-1960-killing/

WS thread for the above case:
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?211100-TX-Irene-Garza-25-McAllen-16-April-1960

It's good to know no matter how old a case gets and how old the person is responsible, there is no statute of limitations on murder and there is no age limit to prosecute and convict whoever is responsible for murdering Debbie.



Also, to note, one of the breaks in the 1960 case was due to witnesses coming forward to testify about the perpetrator implicating himself. It took more than a half a century for people with information to come forward, but witnesses finally did.

Who today is holding the bag and carrying guilt for not coming forward with information that could bring Debbie the justice she deserves?
Who is out there that is going to stand for the TRUTH and not make excuses for not coming forward?
Do the right thing, make that call and get that burden off your chest. Debbie deserves to rest peacefully with the person(s) responsible held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

It is NEVER too late and no tip is ever too small.

 

[Cubby]

New msm for Debbie's case!

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...lved-murder-photos-20160210-photogallery.html

There are photo's here which I have never seen before, including some crime scene photo's.

These are the first clear photo's I have seen of Debbie. She was so beautiful, gorgeous eyes and such cute dimples. Seeing these photo's just breaks my heart.

 

[Kayo - 55]

Thank you Cubbie for posting this photo. That's exactly how I remember Debbie, and my heart aches when I see this. I recently read where the DPCSO supposedley requested an "audit" of their department (November of 2015?); however, I do not know the status on that. Is any of that information for "public review" upon request?

 

[Kayo - 55]

I was so thankful that the Chicago Tribune made the decision to post on-line this past 02/10/16: "The Unsolved Murder of Debbie Fijan", with photos and captions. I can only hope the following as a result of the Tribune posting this: 1) that there is an increased level of interest in Debbie's case, 2) that more individuals ask why Debbie's case has gone unsolved for 50+ years, and 3) that Debbie's cold case gets the attention that it deserves from the DPCSO, and 4) that the DPCSO reaches out to any out of state law enforcement assistance that can be provided in hopes of finding and convicting Debbie's killer.

 

[Cubby]

The captions to the photos published by the Chicago Tribune were interesting. I found myself replying to them similarly to how one might comment to a television program. Particularly the caption which mentioned no one be in convicted in this case. I thought, "no one was acquitted in this case either".....

I know for certain DPCSO will not post a case to their cold case website unless they believe it is solvable. Debbie's is one of a handful of cases that made the cut to be included in the online site for DPC. It wouldn't be online if DPCSO believed it was unsolvable.

I also know for certain Kristina Wesselman's case is currently on the top of the list with DPCSO since they've made an arrest and made it public they were continuing to build the case against the person charged with Kristy's murder. That's not a bad thing for Debbie's case because the pending trial is going to put DPCSO in contact with experts who are working with the most current technology. That can only help Debbie's and other older cases as DPCSO will be hands on and in direct communication with the best technology, forensics experts etc.

Back to the photos published last week in the Trib. Does anyone know if Debbie was found on the north or south side of Lies Rd? Was that information ever made public?

 

[Kayo - 55]

If I recall, Debbie's body was found on the North side of Lies. The officer in the photo that was standing close to the ditch and pointing towards the ground, appears to be facing the sun (south), since the shadows cast in the photo are behind him. Mr. G. Klein owned over 100 acres of land at the northeast corner of Lies & Fair Oaks, but I'm not sure if this property was still in the family in 1966. Mr. Klein died in the mid 50's? If in fact this land was still in the family in 1966, Loren (guilty?) may have dumped Debbie's body on his Grandfather's property; although the ditch line at that time may have been part of the highway right of way or easement. Loren (guilty?) may have known that since John Schofield was the highway commissioner. Then again, maybe that was part of LS's plan - that reverse psychology thinking.

 

[Kayo - 55]

I recently watched "The Perfect Crime" - American Experience (WTTW - Ch. 11). Some of you may have already seen or heard about this notorious 1924 Chicago murder, and the trial that followed. Leopold & Loeb, the two friends that murdered a 14 year old boy in the back of a rented car, came from wealthy families that lived in the Kenwood area. Leopold & Loeb eventually confessed to the crime, but it was very interesting to see how the eyeglasses that were found close to the body were used as a clue and evidence that connected the glasses to Leopold. These "rimmed" glasses were only 1 of 3 pairs that were made, and law enforcement was able to trace down where they were purchased, and who purchased them.

I'm not sure where I'm going with this, other than some slight similarities. Unfortunately, Debbie's case remains to be solved. Does anyone know whatever happened with the supposed studies that were done on Debbie's boots and the tire tracks? If I remember correctly, the boot fibers did not match. LS claimed that Maryanne wore boots that were similar? Really?? Size difference alone for a 10 yr. old girl vs. a 29 yr. old? Supposed soil analysis comparing soil (gravel, etc.?) where Debbie got into car at St. Charles & Fair Oaks vs. the road and ditch where Debbie was found on Lies? Looking at the recent photos posted by the Trib, it appears that the area where Debbie was found (ditch, road, etc.) was "contaminated", multiple tire tracks, etc. - TO NO ONES FAULT! People were looking for Debbie on the night of 02/11/66, and finding her was their main concern. Weren't they (sheriff, etc.) going to make plaster casts in an effort to compare tires along Lies to LS's vehicle? I apologize if this is old for discussion. The recent "Perfect Crime" got me thinking about some of this.

 

[Cubby]

The following article has some good information about the time line in this case.

http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1966/02/13/page/1/article/sift-child-slaying-clews/index.html

 

[Kayo - 55]

"The dead cannot cry out for justice; it is the duty of the living to do so for them" (L. McMaster B.)

 

[Kayo - 55]

If my short term memory serves me correctly, a WS member recently posted an inquiry regarding the amount of coverage that Debbie's case received. My short reply would be very little and not enough. I don't remember the amount of coverage her case received on the T.V. or radio; however, as some of you might know The Chicago Tribune had 10 newspaper articles between 02/12/66 and 05/22/66 on Debbie's murder. The 60's were a very tumultuous time, and there were many other cases of notoriety (JFK, Bobby K., MLK Jr. Richard Speck, etc.). "The Perfect Crime", the 1924 Chicago murder trial received 3 consecutive days of front page coverage by the New York Times, and front page coverage by the Chicago Daily Tribune (formerly) for the entire length of the trial. Again, I'm thankful that the Chicago Tribune released the photos regarding Debbie's unsolved case this past 02/10/16, and thank you to Cubby for posting this site on WS.

In closing, which is hardly worth my time to type this: Loren S. was released, AND SET FREE, on 04/26/66 by Judge William B. This was just a little over 2 months AFTER DEBBIE WAS MURDERED. Loren's release definitely qualifies as "a rush to judgement" in my mind. He might still be living off of his inheritance share of his father's or grandfather's properties that sold back in the 1970's for $7,500.00 per acre ($$$$$). That might provide some insight as to why John S. told Loren to keep his mouth shut after he was taken into custody.

 

[Cubby]

IIRC the reasons given for LS'S release was the grand jury refusing to indict him. That decision;I recall being the fibers on Debbie's boots not matching the fibers from the car. Which left me wondering if LS replaced the floor mats in the car . That seems like such an easy thing to do for someone who lied about the they hid and burning the clothing they were wearing.
I think about the story LS gave his wife about how ;he found the on the side of the road... Seriously , it's ;laughable to think anyone driving would have a clear enough view of trash on the side of the road to determine what it was while driving. It's not logical to believe that even possible . I find it very hard to believe anyone hearing that kind of story would believe it truthful. For that reason , I have a hard time believing Mrs. LS wasn't ;an accessory after the fact. Hiding is one thing, assisting in the cover up of a childs murder is completely another.
The one thing that makes ;it difficult to consider other Poi's in this case is the small window of opportunity someone had to coerce Debbie into their vehIcle. Someone other than LS, who also had a white car, would have to have snatched Debbie during the short time it took her to walk a few hundred yards down St. Chares Rd. from the school, without being seen by LS, the janitor, Debbie's mom, whoever was driving the girl scouts or brownies home who saw Debbie on the swing. Who might have had that ;opportunity ;other than LS ?
The only question I really have about anyone else as a possible is what time AV, the neighbor who found her, got home from college ?

 

[Cubby]

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
~Edmund Burke

 

[Kayo - 55]

Any and all explanations I have read to date are completely implausible, and I don't believe them; with the exception of the WS posts. Examples would be: Loren taking a different route on his way home to check the roads, finding along the road, Maryanne's reason for burning LS's clothing, LS claiming that his wife had boots like Debbie's, LS claiming that feather's in his trunk were from the chickens that he would take to/from his father's farm, tire and boot casts that were supposedly taken, etc. Please don't take this the wrong way, but the ground wasn't frozen the night Debbie was found. I'd have to pull up the temperatures for 02/12/66 to verify if the temps. dropped <32 after she was found the night before. Even though most of the articles and photo captions from the crime scene reported that Debbie "was found in an icy ditch", the photos clearly show that it was "muddy and soft". Were "casts" really taken, did law enforcement just report that "casts" were taken, or was the ground too soft to obtain "casts"? Whatever happened to the supposed boot print "casts" that were taken at St. Charles & Fair Oaks. Those prints should have been visible to the "naked eye". I can assure you that I know nothing about "tire casts" and how it's done. More to follow.

 

[Cubby]

Kayo- Debbie never made it all the way to the intersection of St. Charles and Fair Oaks. She was still on St. Charles Rd walking westward toward Fair Oaks when she was seen by the 3rd grade teachers husband, who happened to look eastward down St. Charles Rd. as he was driving northbound on Fair Oaks through the intersection.

IDK if the plaster casts still exist. IDK how they were stored, transported and how the elements would affect casts that are several decades old. It would be nice to know if we have anyone more knowledgeable about forensics.

I never thought the ground was frozen when Debbie was found, just that it was cold enough for surface ice to form after sunset.

 

[Kayo - 55]

Kayo- Debbie never made it all the way to the intersection of St. Charles and Fair Oaks. She was still on St. Charles Rd walking westward toward Fair Oaks when she was seen by the 3rd grade teachers husband, who happened to look eastward down St. Charles Rd. as he was driving northbound on Fair Oaks through the intersection.

IDK if the plaster casts still exist. IDK how they were stored, transported and how the elements would affect casts that are several decades old. It would be nice to know if we have anyone more knowledgeable about forensics.

I never thought the ground was frozen when Debbie was found, just that it was cold enough for surface ice to form after sunset.

Thank you for your clarification Cubby. My post regarding frozen ground, was based solely on the photos from the crime scene (02/11/66 and the morning of 02/12/66); along with the temperatures I retrieved from "weather archives". There were many tire ruts along the north side of Lies where Debbie's body was found, along with many tire tracks in the grass/mud and road. Unfortunately, the area was "contaminated or compromised" due to the number of vehicles (e.g. AV, Sheriff's Dept., etc.) that entered and left the crime scene. I understand the priority at the time was Debbie. I don't think "crime scene/caution tape" was even introduced until the late 60's; although I did not verify this. Does anyone know if/when LS got his car back? If I recall, it was a fairly new Chevy Impala?

 

[Cubby]

Thank you for the nice compliment about WS, Kayo' There has always been one objective here at WS regarding this case and that is to uncover the truth. Whatever happened to Debbie on February 11, 1966 hasn't changed over the years. The person(s) responsible hasn't changed. Our goal is to continue to seek the truth and bring Debbie the justice she deserves. We don't have those answers yet, but we'll continue to do all we can to uncover the truth. Debbie deserves no less. Thank you for your contribution to seeking justice for Debbie.

 

[Kayo - 55]

I'm looking for any help, answers, or suggestions on the following:
1) Does anyone know who currently owns the "farmland" at the NE corner of Lies & Fair Oaks (previously owned by Mr. G. Klein). Was this land "transferred" to other Klein's, Schofield's, others, upon his death? It has been about 7 years since I was last there, and "Google Earth" still showed the area as "farmland" as recent as 2012. It's possible that the land is being leased, but I don't know. Land Contract? I don't know if the DPC Farm Bureau would have records, or if records could be obtained through the Wayne Township Assessor, or the DPC Recorder. I have seen so many cases where the owner on a property isn't even listed, or there are other names listed on the deed. This land, just west of the Catholic Church, would be a "gold-mine" I would think, unless Carol Stream has some strange "ratio" of developed to undeveloped land (pure speculation on my part). Other Klein or Schofield nieces or nephews in the area? DPC Forest Preserve - when the purchased the land on the west side of Fair Oaks back in the 1970's for $$cheap. Does any of this (the holding and sale of this land) relate to where DS was left to die, or hinder upon LS's death if this land is still "in the family"?
2) Does anyone know who preceded John S. as Wayne Township Highway Commissioner after he drowned in Canada (05/1967?)? If I recall, this was an elected position; although there were other Klein/Schofield family members that held the position before John S. I have no idea how that works, or if another elected official "appoints" a new HC (e.g. gave a friend the job, or "nepotism")? Hmm...............

I still find both of the above very curious. Any help anyone can provide is appreciated.

 

[Kayo - 55]

Clarification needed for above:
1) "hinder upon LS's death" - I was attempting to compare this to: maybe a family home still owned by an elderly parent living in a nursing home. Your parent had many memories of this home (both good and bad), and you promised your parent that you would not sell the house until they passed away. I'm not sure that makes any sense, but that was my thinking, providing the land is still "in the family". If LS is guilty, and the land is sold before his death, the "connection" with DF is gone.
2)Does anyone know who was Wayne TS Highway Commissioner AFTER John S. drowned in Canada?

 

[Cubby]

I'll take a look. I have to go out that way in a little bit. I'll see what I can find regarding the current property owner.

As for LS's family, we can sleuth his father and wife as persons named in MSM and deceased, but the rest of his living family is off limits so to speak...... We can speak in generalities but not use names. Will add more later.......