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

[Cubby]

Bump

 

[Luckymanuh]

So sad it has been 52 years.

 

[Cubby]

53 years.

Awhile back, several people had asked me questions about businesses, farms, horses, and some other thing which pertained to the community or neighborhood where Debbie was murdered and found.

While the person I met who was local when this crime occured isn't online, I can ask questions which pertain to the local area at the time of the crime which might move this case closer to resolution.

If anyone has questions, please list them here in this thread and I will do my best to get them answered.

 

[Kayo - 55]

02-11-1966
"Sometimes memories of you sneak out of my eyes and roll down my cheeks".

 

[Kayo - 55]

53 years.

Awhile back, several people had asked me questions about businesses, farms, horses, and some other thing which pertained to the community or neighborhood where Debbie was murdered and found.

While the person I met who was local when this crime occured isn't online, I can ask questions which pertain to the local area at the time of the crime which might move this case closer to resolution.

If anyone has questions, please list them here in this thread and I will do my best to get them answered.

Sounds like a "possibility" for information. Obviously, this individual would like to protect his/her identity? I don't recall when you (Cubby) met this person(?). I'll post a few questions in the near future. In the meantime, did you get the feeling that this person seemed more "willing to talk" now; given LS's death last year, or just a case of remembering Debbie's story?

 

[Cubby]

This person has no ties to any of the players in the case, the questions would just pertain to memories about the neighborhood, that might help readers recall info.

The only thing that has changed is my ability to bring the Internet and WS to this person.

 

[Kayo - 55]

This person has no ties to any of the players in the case, the questions would just pertain to memories about the neighborhood, that might help readers recall info.

The only thing that has changed is my ability to bring the Internet and WS to this person.

Last checked via "drive-by", the property where Debbie's body was found at Lies & Fair Oaks has remained farmland/undeveloped (approx. 10 acres); while the surrounding land was been developed into subdivisions, DPC Forest Preserve, and CC Catholic Church - just east of this farmland. The property where Debbie was found was originally owned by G. Klein and/or Klein family relatives (see below), and it is my understanding that there has only been one owner of this land since then, about the 1950's - 1960's. The current owner/family members sold and/or donated(?) the parcel east of the farmland (approx. 10 acres) to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet ("Joseph Imesch, successor trustee") in June/1988 for the development of the new CC Catholic Church.

QUESTION: Please ask/check with "this person" to see if they might know anything about the "history" of the farmland where Debbie was found (i.e. why it has gone undeveloped/unsold for so many years, ever on the market, offers/value)?? It has to be worth quite a bit of money?? I'd like to think that it has been out of respect for Debbie and her family, though doubtful?? Maybe an "understanding/deal the new owner couldn't resist" with John & EkleinS, LS/Maryanne S? Leased?? I think this farmland is in the limits of West Chicago(?), and CC Church is in the Carol Stream limits(?). I had read a few years back that there was some "well water contamination" at/near Lies & Fair Oaks. Maybe difficult to sell??

ttp://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/27741/Wayne+Township/DuPage+County+1874/Illinois/

 

[Kayo - 55]

Orientation purposes for the above: Per DPC, Debbie's body was found <225' east of Fair Oaks, and <10' from the edge of Lies (north side of road). Lies & FO in 1966 were gravel, minimal shoulder, without curb & gutter. NOT a question for "this person", but I've always wondered how soon the Wayne Township Highway Commissioner (a.k.a. John S.) sent a crew out to repair all the tire ruts and road damages where Debbie was found. Maybe(?) by 9:00 a.m., Saturday, 02/12/1966. Those B & W photos from the Chicago Tribune sure looked like a "contaminated crime scene".

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Fair+Oaks+Rd+%26+W+Lies+Rd,+West+Chicago,+IL+60185/@41.9295986,-88.1746995,3a,75y,90h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sEwr3ih_X-HGcDPqLxdXpwQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x880f0073dbae0459:0x320fa435ec4da073!8m2!3d41.9295712!4d-88.1747064

 

[Kayo - 55]

Property owned by George K. in 1874 was on both sides of the road, just south of Wayne Center. This would have been EkleinS's grandfather. The "family farm" (approx. 90 acres) on the west side of Fair Oaks (not named at the time?), adjacent to the East Branch DuPage River, was owned by LS's parents - John & EKS. This property was sold in the late 1970's to the DPCFP for a mere $650,000.00. I realize some of this is "redundant" from previous posts, maybe just a reminder (therapy) since just a few days after the "anniversary" of Debbie's death. Post above #888 will show current undeveloped farmland on the east side of Fair Oaks. Just click a few times in center of map to enlarge.


ttp://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/27741/Wayne+Township/DuPage+County+1874/Illinois/

 

[Kayo - 55]

53 years.

Awhile back, several people had asked me questions about businesses, farms, horses, and some other thing which pertained to the community or neighborhood where Debbie was murdered and found.

While the person I met who was local when this crime occured isn't online, I can ask questions which pertain to the local area at the time of the crime which might move this case closer to resolution.

If anyone has questions, please list them here in this thread and I will do my best to get them answered.

Questions for "this person":
1) Do they recall anything about the young girl (Karin N. S.) that was assaulted within 1-2 years after Debbie was murdered? See/refer to WS post # 482.
2) Do they remember if there was anything in the local paper(s) pre-02/11/1966 about the Klein and/or Klein/Schofield families (i.e. Highway Commissioner election(s), farmland/properties owned, positions served, contributions, volunteer work, etc.)? If I recall, 1 -2 of LS's brothers had served as HC before John S.
3) Did he/she feel that LS was treated "fairly", or do they think LS was guilty?
4) Any "memories" about LS, his parents Edna & John, his brothers and sister, their properties/farmland?
5) Do they remember anything unusual about Debbie's initial "court proceedings" (i.e. D. Spesia, first person to meet with LS in jail - "We've got our Man", Chicago Tribune, Robert C. - LS's attorney, had Judge Fitzgerald removed from hearings.

 

[Kayo - 55]

02/20/2019: "46 year old cold case solved in California, detectives dogged this case". Thank you to all the individuals and law enforcement that worked tirelessly in solving the murder of this young girl Linda O., who was killed in 1973.

While other cold cases across the country continue to get solved, Debbie's files continue to "collect dust", and DPC elected officials continue to "sit on their hands".

 

[Luckymanuh]

I am hoping more and more LEA start using genealogy as a tool to solve some of these cold cases. I am not sure in the older 60's and 70's cold cases if DNA was collect or still viable. But it has to be worth the shot to try! Even if they find a match and locate family match and find out the killer is dead there is some closure.

 

[Kayo - 55]

I am hoping more and more LEA start using genealogy as a tool to solve some of these cold cases. I am not sure in the older 60's and 70's cold cases if DNA was collect or still viable. But it has to be worth the shot to try! Even if they find a match and locate family match and find out the killer is dead there is some closure.

Thankfully, it seems like more & more LEA's are using genealogy/DNA to help solve cold cases. Sadly, in Debbie's case, I don't think DNA testing was used until the mid 1980's(?). Even though LS's wife supposedly burned his clothing the night Debbie was murdered, I've always wondered what happened with LS's car, Debbie's clothing, etc. (see below). I know that DPCSO has Debbie's hair sample.

Just last month, there was an episode on "48 Hours" with Erin M. - "The 1983 Chino Hills Massacre". Per Dr. Krane during the story: "DNA is a very stable molecule. It would persist for many decades, maybe even centuries....those areas you're talking about sampling, the collar, the arm pits.....those tests are very straightforward, they can be very reliable". Dr. Krane was referencing a t-shirt that had been found and "sweat" was tested to help overturn a conviction.

Did DPCSO keep Debbie's books, etc. that were thrown out of the car/found at the crime scene? This would have been handled by the perp. What about her clothing? Did the coroner keep, or hand over to the DPCSO? DNA "transfer" from suspect to Debbie's clothing during stabbing, unless gloves were used? If this evidence was kept, AND PROTECTED, I would think this could be tested for any "match" with living relatives of LS and/or others? They can easily be found if they CARE, and want to. Is DNA testing that expensive? I have no idea. I'm sure after 53 years that there has been too much contamination of any evidence that was saved by DPC "Barney Fife's".

 

[Luckymanuh]

I do know it is backlogged via LEA. But cost and time via genealogy sites is alot less. I think though it needs to be pure DNA. Can't send in a piece of clothing. So once again they would need to use the LEA labs to extract it. TIME and MONEY!

 

[Kayo - 55]

I do know it is backlogged via LEA. But cost and time via genealogy sites is alot less. I think though it needs to be pure DNA. Can't send in a piece of clothing. So once again they would need to use the LEA labs to extract it. TIME and MONEY!

I wonder if there was a "designated relative" at LS's funeral to collect and dispose of/BURN any and all cups, plates, utensils napkins, etc. that may have been used at any post funeral get together (tongue in cheek). DPCSO could have easily sent an hourly paid "plain clothed newbie" to get some familial DNA. Hmm...…...….. any Chemists or Biologists out there that can help and/or comment on the below?? Too technical for my brain. It puts me to sleep.

Recent Advances in Forensic DNA Analysis

 

[Kayo - 55]

53 years.

Awhile back, several people had asked me questions about businesses, farms, horses, and some other thing which pertained to the community or neighborhood where Debbie was murdered and found.

While the person I met who was local when this crime occured isn't online, I can ask questions which pertain to the local area at the time of the crime which might move this case closer to resolution.

If anyone has questions, please list them here in this thread and I will do my best to get them answered.

Anything new with person you met "who was local" when Debbie was murdered? See my questions and post #890 above.

 

[Kayo - 55]

I do know it is backlogged via LEA. But cost and time via genealogy sites is alot less. I think though it needs to be pure DNA. Can't send in a piece of clothing. So once again they would need to use the LEA labs to extract it. TIME and MONEY!

In the case of DPCSO: "Time and Money" = PENNY WISE, DOLLAR FOOLISH

 

[Cubby]

I haven't seen him except in passing. I might see him next week.

 

[Cubby]

I should add, he is not local anymore, at least not in the immediate area. I don't think he would be familiar with current vacant or undeveloped property.

 

[Kayo - 55]

I should add, he is not local anymore, at least not in the immediate area. I don't think he would be familiar with current vacant or undeveloped property.

Thanks for the update Cubby. I've always wondered why this 9 - 10 acre piece of land where Debbie's body was found is still a corn field. Last checked, as mentioned before, there has only been one owner since it belonged to George K. and/or George K.'s relatives. I think this parcel falls within West Chicago, and the 10 acres to the east (C Christi Cath. Church) is in Carol Stream.