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

[Cubby]

A friend of mine recently told me about another cold case in Wisconsin that was just solved. The case was greater than 15 yrs. old. The fact that Illinois's finances are such a mess gives me little hope that Debbie's case will ever get solved. It's going to take quite a bit to convince me that Debbie's investigation from the start was not a "cover-up". DPC is fearful of litigation - as they should be.

Yes, Illinois is a hot mess...... but I don't know if it's really the states finances as opposed to the countys finances that might effect Debbie's case.

Kind of OT, but Frank Bibbiano has announced he's running for Sheriff.

http://frankforsheriff.com/frank-bibbiano-announces-candidacy-dupage-county-sheriff/

It sure would be great if a new sheriff could get things moving on this case. Kristy Wesselmans 1985 case is going to trial next month, so I am still hopeful this case can be solved.

 

[Cubby]

"Disgraced" Archbishop Bernard Law (d.o.b. 11/04/31 - d.o.d. 12/20/17). When I heard the news earlier today I wondered what, if anything, LS might be thinking about this. LS and Archbishop BL were at the Pontifical College Josephinium (Worthington, Ohio) at the same time (early 1960's); although, LS left the seminary to attend Quincy University in Illinois before teaching at Benjamin. What effect, if any, did Bernard L. have on LS?? Is it possible that the paths of BL and LS ever crossed?? Is LS thinking about Debbie today?? More importantly, is it now possible that ANYONE with any "skeletons in the closet" might come forward with anything that could help solve Debbie's unsolved case? Highly unlikely and improbable, but the thought crossed my mind when I heard this news about BL.

BL has had to do his explaining to his maker. I opened this thread thinking someone posted that LS had passed away. I'm glad I was wrong.

 

[Kayo - 55]

"His maker"?? Hmm.......I've seen some obits on LS's brothers 2-3 years ago, though sister(s) never confirmed. If I recall, LS was the youngest. I find it very doubtful that an obit for LS will ever be "published". LS's youngest daughter Joanna, who drowned when she was only 2(?), is buried at St. Catherine of Genoa Catholic Church Cemetery (Genoa City, IL). LS's mother Edna (Klein) is also buried here. LS's wife MaryAnne (Schulgen - d.o.d. 07/15/02) IS NOT buried at SCofGCCC. Very "telling" if MAS left the Church. LS is the only parent listed on the church cemetery record for Joanna. LS donated some money to St. Catherine's Church in 2006 & 2007; maybe some of his inheritance money from the sale of the family farm in 1976 - 90 acres sold to the DPCnty. Forest Preserve for $650,000.00. Makes me sick!! Maybe LS has already purchased a plot at SCofGCCC, with the provision/codicil in his Will that he donates all of his money to SCofGCC. "Pay his way to heaven".

 

[Kayo - 55]

"The Clock is Ticking" : For what it's worth, LS will be 79 in 2018.

 

[Kayo - 55]

Yes, Illinois is a hot mess...... but I don't know if it's really the states finances as opposed to the countys finances that might effect Debbie's case.

Kind of OT, but Frank Bibbiano has announced he's running for Sheriff.

http://frankforsheriff.com/frank-bibbiano-announces-candidacy-dupage-county-sheriff/

It sure would be great if a new sheriff could get things moving on this case. Kristy Wesselmans 1985 case is going to trial next month, so I am still hopeful this case can be solved.

Thank you for posting this information Cubby. FB has a very interesting background/"curriculum vitae". I'm not sure if the endorsement from Sheriff Z. is a good thing or not?

 

[Kayo - 55]

As some of you might know from previous WS posts, Douglas Spesia (DS, Attorney) was the first individual/family friend that met with LS in jail. LS & DS were only 1 year apart in age. This was before Atty. Chapski was hired to represent LS. DS was married to Loretta (Wiesbrook), sister of Phillip, who was married to LS's sister Mary. LS was married to MaryAnn (Schulgen), and LS's brother John was married to MaryAnn's sister. Clients of Spesia & Ayers (Joliet, IL) have included not only the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet, but also the DuPage County Forest Preserve. ALL THAT MONEY made by the Klein's, Schofield's, Attorney's, and others, when ALL THAT LAND IN WAYNE TOWNSHIP was sold to the DPC Forest Preserve. This "fortune" could have easily, and most likely, would have been wiped out had LS been convicted. This entire case REEKS of a "cover-up".

 

[Kayo - 55]

"His maker"?? Hmm.......I've seen some obits on LS's brothers 2-3 years ago, though sister(s) never confirmed. If I recall, LS was the youngest. I find it very doubtful that an obit for LS will ever be "published". LS's youngest daughter Joanna, who drowned when she was only 2(?), is buried at St. Catherine of Genoa Catholic Church Cemetery (Genoa City, IL). LS's mother Edna (Klein) is also buried here. LS's wife MaryAnne (Schulgen - d.o.d. 07/15/02) IS NOT buried at SCofGCCC. Very "telling" if MAS left the Church. LS is the only parent listed on the church cemetery record for Joanna. LS donated some money to St. Catherine's Church in 2006 & 2007; maybe some of his inheritance money from the sale of the family farm in 1976 - 90 acres sold to the DPCnty. Forest Preserve for $650,000.00. Makes me sick!! Maybe LS has already purchased a plot at SCofGCCC, with the provision/codicil in his Will that he donates all of his money to SCofGCC. "Pay his way to heaven".

Donations made by LS in 2006 & 2007 to St. Catherine's Church was named "The Loren Schofield Award".

 

[Kayo - 55]

Jan. 01, 2018 - Happy New Year to the "followers" of this site. "365 New Days, 365 New Chances". I will continue to hope and pray each day in 2018 that Debbie's case is solved. Sadly, her case has gone unsolved for almost 19,000 days without any resolution.

 

[Kayo - 55]

I recently learned about the "new developments" in the 18 year old cold case in Oklahoma (2 young girls). Apparently, there are "newly discovered notes and documents about the case that were left behind from the previous sheriff's administration". Quite possibly an "omen" with the upcoming DPC Sheriff's election. Candidate FB currently heads up the "cold case unit" for the DPCSO, and was very influential in solving the 30+ year old (1985) K. Wesselman cold case. Thank you FB, and best of everything with the upcoming election.

 

[Kayo - 55]

02/11/1966: Debbie found late p.m. in a ditch along Lies Road
02/14/1966: Debbie's funeral
02/16/1966: "We've Got Our Man" (Chicago Tribune, referencing LS)
02/17/1966: "State's Atty. William Hopf of DuPage County disclosed yesterday a muddy foot print that matches up with the boots worn by slain
Debbie Fijan, 10, had been found in the car of Loren Schofield, 27, her accused slayer" (Chicago Tribune, 02/17/1966, p.1, col.8).
02/25/1966: "Judge Fitzgerald removed for preliminary hearing, replaced by Judge Marvin E. Johnson" at the request of Loren Schofield's attorney
(Chapski) ................"a conflict of interest since Judge Fitzgerald signed search warrant to inspect property".
02/28/1966: "Loren Schofield released on bond by Judge William Bauer"
05/06/1975: Schofield "family farm" at Lies & Fair Oaks (90 acres) was sold to "the DPC Forest Preserve for approx. $650,000.00; of which approx.
$38K went to attorney's fees, $22K to escrow, and $590,400.00 to Edna KLEIN Schofield c/o Mr. Phil Wiesbrook" - brother in law to LS.

Thinking about Debbie today on 02/11/2018, and knowing that she DID NOT get the justice that she and her family deserved.

 

[Cubby]

Debbie just came to mind a few minutes ago. I can't help but recall a witness driving north on Fair Oaks looked to the east while driving through the intersection of Fair Oaks and St. Charles Rd saw a girl matching Debbie's description talking to a man in a white car. Debbies boot prints in the snow starting from the swings on the school playground ended at that same spot. LS drove a white car.

I still can't help but wonder if Debbie saw LS viewing and he needed to ensure that secret never got out. Addiction makes people do pretty desperate things and a student catching a teacher viewing at school in 1966 would have caused quite the controversy.

There's also no explanation, imo, why LS wouldn't have seen a man in a white car talking to Debbie if the man in the white car wasn't him. He had just seen Debbie on the swings at school, told her to go home and she probably didn't get more than 600 yards from the school when she was seen standing next to that white car.

So many questions, one day we'll have answers. I just hope it's in this life rather than the next.

 

[Luckymanuh]

And the murderer who admitted to killing Sally Kandel almost same place years later drive a white car also.

 

[Kayo - 55]

06/30/1956: Phillip Wiesbrook (1934-2016) marries Mary Schofield in Cloverdale, IL
06/12/1965: Douglas Spesia, DS (1940-2010) marries Loretta Wiesbrook

See/refer to 12/28/17 post: All in the Family (DS, Spesia & Ayers, "first family friend to meet with LS in jail" - per Chicago Tribune)

FAMILY FARM @ Lies & Fair Oaks - "ORDER"
State of Illinois/DuPage County - "In the Circuit Court of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court, DuPage County, Illinois FINDS: That the subject property on June 15, 1973, the date of the filing of the Petition to Condemn herein, consisted of 90.01 acres ................and that DPC Forest Preserve, plaintiff herein, has entered into a LEASE of said property for three years.........and that there is therefore no charge in use of property"

When property was sold, as mentioned above, approx. $590K went to Edna KLEIN Schofield, c/o Phillip Wiesbrook. Wasn't the "Wiesbrook family name" quite predominant in the Naperville/Wheaton area, similar to the "Klein family name" in Wayne Township? Hmm................Any "political involvement" and/or $$contributions to politicians, judges, etc.? Lest we forget John Schofield and his position as Highway Commissioner; future political aspirations b4 he drowned?? Having a son/brother in law/son in law, etc. charged and convicted of murder would have put a huge blemish on anyone associated with LS. Gee, probably why the majority, if not the entire family/families left DPC in the late 1960's. Smells like "guilt" to me.

P.S. The law firm that handled the lease and sale of "the family farm" in the 70's (paid $38K), was not even close to DPC/Wayne Township. S & A probably didn't want to touch it (a.k.a. "conflict of interest"), nor did any other law firm in the area want to "touch it with a 10' pole".

 

[Kayo - 55]

Debbie just came to mind a few minutes ago. I can't help but recall a witness driving north on Fair Oaks looked to the east while driving through the intersection of Fair Oaks and St. Charles Rd saw a girl matching Debbie's description talking to a man in a white car. Debbies boot prints in the snow starting from the swings on the school playground ended at that same spot. LS drove a white car.

I still can't help but wonder if Debbie saw LS viewing and he needed to ensure that secret never got out. Addiction makes people do pretty desperate things and a student catching a teacher viewing at school in 1966 would have caused quite the controversy.

There's also no explanation, imo, why LS wouldn't have seen a man in a white car talking to Debbie if the man in the white car wasn't him. He had just seen Debbie on the swings at school, told her to go home and she probably didn't get more than 600 yards from the school when she was seen standing next to that white car.

So many questions, one day we'll have answers. I just hope it's in this life rather than the next.

If I recall, LS drove a white 1963/64 Chevy Impala (convertible?). Someone had posted a photo of a similar Impala on a Facebook site of Debbie's, but that was probably 3-4 yrs. ago. I forget the exact time when Debbie left the school yard, after a BB game, but it was close to 5:30 pm(?), very close to sunset time this time of year in the "upper midwest". It may have been difficult to I.D. a car that time of day. How long did they keep/impound LS's car? The potential " addiction to thing", and/or if Debbie caught LS "playing with Rosie Palm and her 5 sisters" could have spelled disaster for LS and the "family reputation" in the community; if Debbie was going to report it. Debbie also babysat for LS & MaryAnne's first child, who was only about 6 months old at the time when Debbie was killed. Besides the , the thought has crossed my mind as to whether there may have been other attempts by LS on Debbie at LS's house. The fact that he left the priesthood, the numerous failed lie detector tests, and his ridiculous "could have done it" explanations during his interrogations speaks volumes.

Sadly, I still think that many people have "looked the other way" (i.e. "cover-up") ever since 02/11/1966. Family names/relatives, reputations in the community and Catholic Church, job security, earnings/money/potential inheritance, etc. etc. have proved more important than Debbie's life; and very sadly, Debbie and her family paid the ultimate price. Thank you for letting me vent my "unbiased opinion". WS's site just saved me $200.00 (kidding).

 

[Kayo - 55]

Any "sleuthers" out there that might know who currently owns the property just west of Corpus Christi Catholic Church - at the NE corner of Lies & Fair Oaks? This "farmland", across the street from the John & Edna KLEIN Schofield family farm was originally owned by George KLEIN (early-mid 1900's). If I recall, GK died in the 1950's. This parcel of land has gone undeveloped/untouched long before & after Debbie's death. As most of you know, her body was found on the north side of Lies, which at the time would have been on/within this property; depending on the street "right-of-way". Quite possibly, the DPC Forest Preserve owns it, for future development or green space. Family friend/private owner(s) under 2-3 different names on deed? Leased?? Maybe a relative, with a provision for the property to remain "farmland" and/or "untouched"? The "guilt factor"? That property has to be worth quite a bit of money, given what Edna KLEIN Schofield sold 90 acres for back in the 1970's. I don't know how that works (e.g. sale vs. lease, tax breaks, % of crops, corn vs. beans, etc.??).

 

[Cubby]

IDK who owns that corner lot at Fair Oaks and Lies.

I do know it was the husband of another teacher at Benjamin who reported seeing (someone matching) Debbie speaking to a man in the white car. It was around sunset she was last seen.

I can attribute LS failing multiple polygraph due to tremendous guilt/shame regarding the and the anxiety/reactions it would cause while taking poly's.

There are still some unanswered questions regarding AV (the neighbor who found her) and the time line, such as what time he arrived home from college that weekend, what time he started searching and how long he was searching before he found her.

 

[Kayo - 55]

Thanks Cubby. If I recall, the teacher you referenced from Benjamin lived in the subdivision at the NW corner of St. Charles & Fair Oaks, the same subdivision that Debbie lived in. This past weekend I was watching a B movie - "Scared Silent"; supposedly a true movie. I wasn't watching it that closely, but the part(s) about law enforcement "brotherhood", watching each others backs and "no ratting" (corruption) told me I should have turned it off. I still question and wonder how Debbie's case was/wasn't handled from the minute she was found; especially since LS's father John was the Highway Commissioner, he delivered eggs to the local jail, and he knew people/had connections in the community. Most of JS's connections were probably a result of his wife Edna (Klein), or his father-in-law GK, who died in the 1950's. I loved the part in the movie where all the subpoenas were served X 5-6. The police officer initially accused of rape by 4 women failed a lie detector test, was convicted, and substantial amounts of money was awarded to the 4 women. The officer charged was getting help & corroboration from other officers (i.e. "cover-up), the Police Chief, etc.

 

[Kayo - 55]

52 years ago on 02/28/1966, LS walked out of jail as a free man.

"Guilt is the worst demon to bear,
strangling you
from the inside of your body.
Apologize, confess.
Make amends.
Let go.
Breathe free."

 

[Cubby]

Kind of OT, but for those of us in DuPage who sometimes get frustrated with the DPCSO this info is a must read, imho.

http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/...ublican-nomination-for--dupage-county-sheriff

 

[Kayo - 55]

Kind of OT, but for those of us in DuPage who sometimes get frustrated with the DPCSO this info is a must read, imho.

http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/...ublican-nomination-for--dupage-county-sheriff

Thanks for posting Cubby. I read a few of the other DH articles - more politics and clout at their finest. Zaruba endorses Bibbiano, Cronin endorses Mendrick. Atty. Chapski/LS wants Fitzgerald out for DF's Grand Jury trial. Abracadabra, "your wish is granted". Fitzgerald is out, and is replaced by Judge MJ. It's not what you know, but who you know.