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

[Cubby]

FWIW, WB, the guy from Elmhurst who claimed he knew something about the murder weapon, a spoon according to WB's story, passed away some time in the 1970's.

Im also wondering if AV and his former? college gf are aware of this thread for Debbie. It would be interesting to read their thoughts on this case.

 

[Kayo - 55]

Thank you in advance Cubby if you have the time. I completely understand about speaking "in generalities", and will be mindful of that.

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.......

 

[Kayo - 55]

If my math is correct, AV would be about 69, and I think his gf was younger. That's funny you brought this up. About 2 weeks ago, I attempted to find AV (via Google), in the greater Chicago area but didn't have any luck.

FWIW, WB, the guy from Elmhurst who claimed he knew something about the murder weapon, a spoon according to WB's story, passed away some time in the 1970's.

Im also wondering if AV and his former? college gf are aware of this thread for Debbie. It would be interesting to read their thoughts on this case.

 

[Cubby]

I think, but I am not certsin, that AV is in California. I found a local AV but the age was incorrect.

I'm in that area on County Farm and Gary near the mall pretty often. I will make a point of heading out that way over Spring break with the kiddo who can help me with video and or pictures of points of interest.

I didn't get there yesterday because I was running late and didn't want to be any later than I already was.....

 

[Kayo - 55]

Thank you Cubby. I attempted to "track down" AV's gf (LC), who would have been 17 when Debbie was found. I only had her maiden name to go off of, most likely she's out of the area, or married with a different name. I found a number of people with her same last name in Henry County, IL (Davenport/Moline area) but most likely no relation. Quite a few of them had been, or were in law enforcement - interesting?

I think, but I am not certsin, that AV is in California. I found a local AV but the age was incorrect.

I'm in that area on County Farm and Gary near the mall pretty often. I will make a point of heading out that way over Spring break with the kiddo who can help me with video and or pictures of points of interest.

I didn't get there yesterday because I was running late and didn't want to be any later than I already was.....

 

[Kayo - 55]

Should we be concerned about the recent budget changes within the DPCSO? I had read (old news) that the DPC Board did not approve the additional $1 million that JZ had requested for 2016, and that 10 sheriff's positions were cut. Maybe just typical politics, but I hope these cuts do not effect the ability for the DPCSO to investigate cold cases, especially Debbie's.

 

[Cubby]

Illinois still doesn't have a budget and all communities are belt tightening. I don't think budget changes effect this case as much as time does. I'm sure there are people who had I information which could have solved this case who have already passed.

 

[Kayo - 55]

Illinois still doesn't have a budget and all communities are belt tightening. I don't think budget changes effect this case as much as time does. I'm sure there are people who had I information which could have solved this case who have already passed.

I know what you're saying Cubby. I want to remain optimistic, but continue to have the overwhelming feeling about the number of people that have passed as you mentioned, and the handful of people that may have taken "information" to their graves. It's very difficult for me to look at the recent photos that were posted by the Tribune and you, and there are days when I'm still in disbelief even after 50 years.

 

[Kayo - 55]

I recently visited Debbie's gravesite; although it took me 2 trips back to the main office for additional help. Debbie's plot does not have a headstone. I was hoping that a visit would provide some sort of "closure" for me, even after 50+ years. Visiting Debbie's gravesite provided a great amount of peace for me, but I must admit that the peace I felt while there, turned to more anger and frustration on my drive home as to why her cold case has not been solved. So many people that I've shared Debbie's story with continue to tell me that I just need to accept it, and that many murder cases go unsolved.

 

[Kayo - 55]

Does anyone know or recall seeing any photos from the area where Debbie's body was found, that were taken on Saturday, 02/12/66. The photos and captions from the crime scene posted by the Chicago Tribune this past 02/10/16 were from 02/11/66, the evening that Debbie was found; with the exception of the one photo on 02/12/66 where the Sheriff's Deputy was pointing towards the ground.

Tire casts were supposedly taken at/near the area where Debbie's body was found. It would be interesting to see (if any other old photos available) if any of the road and tire tracks had been repaired, fixed, smoothed out with hand rakes, etc. in the middle of the night by the Wayne Township Highway Commissioner and/or a 1 man crew. Hmm......... The morning/daytime photo from the crime scene on 02/12/66 appear to show that there were still tire ruts in the grass/mud area along the north side of Lies. I don't remember if tire casts were taken along St. Charles road from where Debbie was picked up, just east of Fair Oaks Rd.

 

[Kayo - 55]

Does anyone know the name of the Detective from DPCSO that is currently handling Debbie's case? If I recall, Cubby made mention of this in a previous post. Please respond.

 

[Cubby]

I am just now seeing the most recent posts. I never got to take the pictures/video of the areas of interest in this case because the kiddo was sick all of spring break.

Anyhoo, I have spoken with both Detective Tiffany Wayda and Detective Robert Harris regarding this case (and a few others which have since been solved).

I'm saddened to hear there is no stone for Debbie's grave. Glad you were able to make it there Kayo'.

 

[Kayo - 55]

Thank you Cubby for the information on the Detectives. I wasn't sure if Tim G. or Joe D. were still involved or not. My sentiments exactly on Debbie's marker, but I can kind of understand, given the circumstances. If I remember, Debbie had some other relatives at the IPC. Debbie's resting place is very peaceful, and is below a large Spruce tree.

 

[Kayo - 55]

I recently re-read some of the Chicago Tribune archived articles on Debbie. One of them, of interest ("We've Got Our Man", 02/16/1966), mentioned at the end of the article how Mr. Douglas Spesia, Attorney & family friend of LS, was one of the first individuals to meet with LS in a conference room of the jail in Wheaton, IL. This was before Chapski & Carbury had been retained. Mr. D. Spesia (1940 - 2010) was a partner with Spesia & Ayers, who has provided "legal services" for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet, IL and a number of Forest Preserve Districts in northern Illinois. Mr. Spesia's wife and LS's sister are (were?) sister's-in-law. Many of you that have followed WS are also probably aware that LS and his brother JS were married to two sisters - Maryann & Agnes Schulgen, making each of them brother's/ brother's- in- law, and sister's/sister's - in - law. Very confusing until I was recently provided with a few of the maiden name(s) within the Klein - Schofield family.

 

[Cubby]

bumping for Debbie

 

[Kayo - 55]

A friend of mine recently e-mailed me about a cold case in Wisconsin that has gone unsolved since 1989. This is a case that apparently involves an infant baby boy, and the authorities recently exhumed the body since there is new evidence. If I recall, this would be the 3rd cold case in Wisconsin in the last 18 months where positive efforts are being made to actually solve cold case's that are more than 15 years old. DuPage County needs to put aside some of the "politics" that continues to go on between some of the governmental "bodies" (i.e. Sheriff's Department, DPC Board Chairman, etc. etc. etc.). I truly believe that Debbie's case would have been solved years ago if her case was in a different County. Circumstantial and Hearsay evidence alone (admissible?), had Debbie's case gone to a Jury trial, would have convicted LS and sent him to the JCC where he belonged.

 

[Abbey5]

This case should have been solved years ago.

 

[Cubby]

I don't know that enough evidence exists for a guilty verdict. I go back and forth between LS's bizarre behavior being a result of guilt due to viewing in the school and trying to keep his addiction hidden, to theorizing he killed Debbed because she caught/saw him viewing the . Especially due to the stab wounds in her eyes. I can imagine someone losing it because she saw him doing something he wanted to keep hidden.

I believe there are people out there who fear coming forward, even today, because they fear retribution from LS and/or his family. I would encourage them to do the right thing and come forward providing LE with whatever evidence, large or small. Let the authorities make the decision on whether evidence is relevant or not. I have uncovered what might be loosely related to the case and given that information directly to the authorities.

I don't know that anyone else here in the thread has met with or spoken to the detectives working Debbie's case. I have and I can guarantee they are dedicated to solving Debbie's case as well as other cold case in the county. I've never met anyone in the SAO and it's the prosecutor who decides to go forward or not, so I can't speak for them.

LS is an old man now and if he is responsible at some point he'll be facing justice from his maker.

As for anyone with information who hasn't come forward. I'd ask them to examine their conscience regarding the right thing to do and what their religious beliefs would have them do. Especially since religion is such an important part in the life of the only person ever charged with Debbie's murder. WWJD with information that might solve a childs murder?

 

[Kayo - 55]

I know that you (Cubby) have put your "heart and soul" into the WS site for Debbie, and I can't thank you and the other WS "sleuth's" enough. For many years, after we moved out of DP County, I thought Debbie's case had been solved. I never stopped thinking about her as to what happened. I can still recall the night I found out she was missing, the morning (Saturday) I found out she had been murdered, and the day I went to her funeral. This might sound "strange", but to this day, I have a problem going into a Florist shop; since the non-specific "fragrance" at her funeral has stuck with me over the years.My heart and mind goes right back to Debbie's funeral and her very small casket. All of us in Debbie's class were young and "impressionable".

You are correct regarding retribution; however, I strongly believe that the DPCSO is also "fearful" of a potential lawsuit if LS was charged again and his case was either dismissed or he was found not guilty. LS had some sort of "defamation lawsuit" back in 1966/67 that was dismissed. Yes to your question regarding having contact with the Detectives. This was over 4 years ago, and at that time they were "keeping things close to the vest". I don't think their position has changed much which is why I raised the question above in post # 693. If LS is still living I believe he would be about 77, since he was 27 when Debbie was murdered. I don't know if he has any siblings that are still living. If I recall, he had 1 sister, and 3 brothers? Does he have any sons, daughters, nieces, or nephews that are still in Illinois?

 

[Kayo - 55]

Continued from above: Have any of you seen the movie "Ladybug Ladybug"? The B & W movie was set in the 1960's, and it centered around a small country grade school, and how the students, teachers, and school Principal reacted to an air raid siren that went off in the school. It was very frightening to some of the students, even though it was later determined to be a "false alarm". I thought it had striking similarities to Benjamin, and how the teachers handled the news about Debbie's murder; and how they conveyed the news to the students in an effort to protect them.