IL IL - Debbie Fijan, 10, murdered, DuPage Co, 11 Feb 1966 #3

[Kayo - 55]

Sadly I can still remember 02/11/1966 - 02/14/1966 like it was yesterday; and sadly, Debbie's case and file continues to collect dust at the DPCSO. You'll never be forgotten Debbie.

 

[Cubby]

Thinking of Debbie much of the day. Never forgotten.

 

[Kayo - 55]

Thinking of you Debbie, on the day/date you would have been 68 (d.o.b. 11/16/1955)

 

[Kayo - 55]

I just recently read that Mary (Schofield) Wiesbrook passed away last Sept./2023. Mary S. was the last living Schofield, Loren's older sister. Whatever she knew about Debbie's murder, she "took it to her grave". "Mums the word", All very sad, and rather interesting that only two of Mary's brothers, John & Loren were mentioned; along with Loren's wife MaryAnn in her Obit.

 

[Kayo - 55]

Still thinking about Debbie today, and reading some of the archived "newspaper clippings" from her tragic death on 02/11/1966. I need to stop watching Dateline, 20/20, etc. Those Cold Cases are usually solved, while DPCSO might not even be able to locate Debbie's file.

 

[Richard]

Loren F. Schofield was considered as a possible suspect in the murder of Debbie Fijan, age 10. He would have been 3 days short of his 27th birthday at the time.

Loren Franklin Schofield​

BIRTH 14 Feb 1939
DEATH 1 Jun 2018 (aged 79)
BURIAL Saint Catherine Cemetery, Genoa, DeKalb County, Illinois
Obituary at link below.

LINK:

Loren Franklin Schofield (1939-2018) - Find a...

It is with great sadness that the family of Loren Franklin Schofield announces his passing on June 1, 2018 at the age of 79. He will be lovingly remembered by his children Matthew, Roseanne, Vicki (Kenny) and Martha (Bill). Loren will also be fondly remembered by his grandchildren, Arianna...

www.findagrave.com

 

[Kayo - 55]

Loren F. Schofield was considered as a possible suspect in the murder of Debbie Fijan, age 10. He would have been 3 days short of his 27th birthday at the time.

Loren Franklin Schofield​

BIRTH 14 Feb 1939
DEATH 1 Jun 2018 (aged 79)
BURIAL Saint Catherine Cemetery, Genoa, DeKalb County, Illinois
Obituary at link below.

LINK:

Loren Franklin Schofield (1939-2018) - Find a...

It is with great sadness that the family of Loren Franklin Schofield announces his passing on June 1, 2018 at the age of 79. He will be lovingly remembered by his children Matthew, Roseanne, Vicki (Kenny) and Martha (Bill). Loren will also be fondly remembered by his grandchildren, Arianna...

www.findagrave.com

LS walked, and his entire family including his mother Edna (Klein), fled Wayne Township/DuPage County shortly after Debbie's GJ "trial". Sadly, DPC State's Atty. William Hopf was no match for Defense Atty. Robert Chapski. It's never "what you know, but who you know".

 

[Kayo - 55]

I just recently read that Mary (Schofield) Wiesbrook passed away last Sept./2023. Mary S. was the last living Schofield, Loren's older sister. Whatever she knew about Debbie's murder, she "took it to her grave". "Mums the word", All very sad, and rather interesting that only two of Mary's brothers, John & Loren were mentioned; along with Loren's wife MaryAnn in her Obit.

Correction to the above, most likely irrelevant given the years that have passed.
As of Sept./2023, Loren Schofield's brothers Wayne & Ken still living.

 

[Kayo - 55]

Does anyone following Debbie's WS site ever get by the new development at Lies & Fair Oaks? Most likely not, since nobody lives in the area. If anyone lives "close", and not an inconvenience, it would be great if you could take a photo at Lies & Fair Oaks looking east along Lies and post on Debbie's site. As a close friend/classmate of Debbie's, there's no such thing as "closure", even after 58 years. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Richard]

Bumping this thread up. There are a number of unsolved murders and missing person cases in the same time frame and close geographical area.

 

[Don7777]

Does anyone following Debbie's WS site ever get by the new development at Lies & Fair Oaks? Most likely not, since nobody lives in the area. If anyone lives "close", and not an inconvenience, it would be great if you could take a photo at Lies & Fair Oaks looking east along Lies and post on Debbie's site. As a close friend/classmate of Debbie's, there's no such thing as "closure", even after 58 years. Thanks in advance for any help.

Here’s a picture of Lies Rd looking east from Fair Oaks Rd (now in Carol Stream, Il)

 

[Kayo - 55]

I appreciate you taking the time to get a pic & post here. I had approached Carol Stream a few years back about a small "memorial" for Debbie (i.e. plaque, tree, bench), but they weren't very receptive. I completely understand since it would have been within easement/right of way area. So different from the "cold" night Debbie was found on 02/11/1966. Thanks again.

 

[Kayo - 55]

Bumping this thread up. There are a number of unsolved murders and missing person cases in the same time frame and close geographical area.

Terrible, all the unsolved murders/missing person cases. I need to stop watching all the T.V. investigative shows regarding unsolved murder cases. So many hours/weeks/months/years go into some of these cases that eventually are solved by law enforcement. The end result brings tears to my eyes for families & relatives. They never gave up, unlike Debbie's case and DPCSD.

 

[laurenmeyer]

Jackie Fijian, Debbie’s brother was in my class at Benjamin school. I remember being so scared that LS was hiding in my closet at home because we shared the same name! What was the janitors name? I have a memory of a creepy janitor and him inviting me into his dark closet but I don’t know if this was later. I went 1st through 8th grade there. We had a perverted 8th grade teacher that did unthinkable things. What is it with that school?

 

[laurenmeyer]

I too used to keep score at the basketball games! Did they ever question the janitor?

 

[Kayo - 55]

Jackie Fijian, Debbie’s brother was in my class at Benjamin school. I remember being so scared that LS was hiding in my closet at home because we shared the same name! What was the janitors name? I have a memory of a creepy janitor and him inviting me into his dark closet but I don’t know if this was later. I went 1st through 8th grade there. We had a perverted 8th grade teacher that did unthinkable things. What is it with that school?

Welcome Lauren. Debbie and I were classmates, class of 1969 - HA! She would have celebrated her 69th birthday today. Still to this day very sad, and I still think of her. I think her brother Jack was 2 years younger than Debbie, 8 when Debbie was murdered(?). I attended Benjamin between 11/1964 & 06/1969. We had a great BB team, didn't we? I played, usually with more "bench time' - HA! I can't remember the janitor's name. Perverted 8th gr. teacher? I always thought the school and grounds were a bit "creepy", especially this time of year, "fall back" on the clocks, darker while waiting for the bus. The school could have definitely used more exterior lighting.

 

[laurenmeyer]

Welcome Lauren. Debbie and I were classmates, class of 1969 - HA! She would have celebrated her 69th birthday today. Still to this day very sad, and I still think of her. I think her brother Jack was 2 years younger than Debbie, 8 when Debbie was murdered(?). I attended Benjamin between 11/1964 & 06/1969. We had a great BB team, didn't we? I played, usually with more "bench time' - HA! I can't remember the janitor's name. Perverted 8th gr. teacher? I always thought the school and grounds were a bit "creepy", especially this time of year, "fall back" on the clocks, darker while waiting for the bus. The school could have definitely used more exterior lighting.

Did you know Wes Davis, 8th grade teacher?

 

[laurenmeyer]

Did you know Wes Davis, 8th grade teacher?

Yes, I must have been 8 as well!

 

[laurenmeyer]

Yes, I must have been 8 as well!

Sorry I meant Les Davis

 

[Kayo - 55]

I recently learned that Loretta (Wiesbrook) Spesia, class of 1965 University of St. Francis (Joliet), made a 2024 donation to the University this past year. As some of you might recall:
1) Loretta was married to Douglas Spesia (1940 - 2010), formerly Spesia & Spesia (Joliet), now Spesia & Taylor. Her two sons are now partners with S & T; although I don't think they were living when Debbie was murdered.
2) Douglas Spesia was the first individual that met with Loren Schofield in jail within days of Debbie's death.
3) Loretta's brother Phil Wiesbrook (1934 - 2016) was married to Loren Schofield's sister Mary (1934 - 2023).
4) The John & Edna (Klein) Schofield "family farm" (90 acres) at Lies & Fair Oaks was sold in the 1970's to the DPCFP for $675K. All "proceeds" from the sale went to Phil Wiesbrook in Plainfield, IL. This property had been in the Klein family since on/before 1875, along with 100's of acres in Wayne Township. Most likely, there are very few if any, Grand Jury members alive today that were selected for Debbie's "trial".
"Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead"
R.I.P. Debbie (11/16/1955 - 02/11/1966)
I still continue to believe that Debbie's unsolved cold case has been a cover up since 02/11/1966. Sadly, Debbie saw and knew too much about Loren Schofield's "behaviors", the Klein/Schofield families had too much $$ to lose, and the DPCSD "looked the other way". Her case may have even affected the Joliet Catholic Diocese.