IL IL - Erica Thompson, 53, Brookfield, 25 Sep 2019 *endangered*

[PommyMommy]

DEC 5, 2022

https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/nine-years-dateline-s-missing-america-188-still-missing-n1301708

Erica Thompson

Erica Thompson was last seen on security video on September 25, 2019, driving near Veterans Memorial Circle in Brookfield, Illinois. Erica was employed at Empire Hard Chrome Inc., in Chicago and when she did not show up for work that week, her family grew concerned.. Erica’s only son, Michael Russo, told NBC Chicago that it was unlike his mother to not show up at work, or check in with her family. Michael said he went to check on his mother on October 1 and found the back door of her home open with the air conditioning “running at full blast.” He said there were moldy dishes in the sink and cat vomit was everywhere. Erica’s vehicle, a dark purple 2014 Nissan Juke with Illinois license plate #E27 3380, was also missing. Police consider her to be an “endangered” missing person. Investigators were able to ping Erica’s phone and discovered that it had traveled through several nearby communities, and as far as Missouri, early on September 26. In 2019, the Brookfield Police Department released a statement, “We are committed to providing every resource available to locating Ms. Erica Thompson. We sincerely hope that she is okay and appreciate the help and support of the residents of Brookfield, the general public, and cooperatives like Crime Stoppers in aiding us in our efforts to solve this missing persons case.” Erica is described as 5’6”, 130 lbs., with blue eyes and auburn hair that is sometimes dyed. She has tattoos of fairies on her hip and a small blue heart on her foot. She would be 56 years old today. Anyone with information about Erica Thompson’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Brookfield Police at 708-244-4862 or email [email protected].

 

[Chappy]

Bump for Erica

 

[Chappy]

Bumping for Erica. 4 years already.
Haven’t heard a word more about this case.

 

[Chappy]

Bump for Erica

 

[doublestop]

Have the rivers and canals mentioned earlier in the thread been searched?

 

[mlhenn]

https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/vicap/missing-persons/erica-l-thompson---brookfield-illinois

fbi.gov

Details:​

On October 1, 2019, Erica Thompson and her vehicle were reported missing from her home, where she lived alone. Her mobile phone, purse, identification, and house and car keys were also missing. Thompson's phone was found the next day in a ditch on the side of the road in Springfield, Missouri. Her remaining personal belongings have yet to be located.

The last time Thompson was seen alive was on the afternoon of September 25, 2019, when a security camera captured her making a bank deposit after work near her home. No unusual or additional bank activity has been identified.
The next morning, Thompson was absent from work without notifying her employer. She has not been seen or heard from since. Thompson is a reportedly a "homebody" who has anxiety about driving long distances.

Evidence indicates Thompson's vehicle may have been driven on or about September 26, 2019, by someone other than herself, in the Illinois cities of Brookfield, Decatur, and Mt. Vernon.

Submit a Tip:​

If you have any information concerning this person, please contact your local FBI office

 

[GraceG]

It's been 5 years since I first posted this. The missing posters are mostly gone now from local businesses, her house long sold. She kept to herself, mostly walking from her house to local businesses but everyone remembers her friendly smile. The boyfriend who she'd just broken up with was never named as a POI, and I don't think they had any suspects or major clues other than the "traveling phone" and the way the house was left - with the security footage erased, yet nothing of value missing. It was said the ex boyfriend was a truck driver but that was never verified and he was never named. We haven't forgotten you Erica.

 

[Chappy]

It's been 5 years since I first posted this. The missing posters are mostly gone now from local businesses, her house long sold. She kept to herself, mostly walking from her house to local businesses but everyone remembers her friendly smile. The boyfriend who she'd just broken up with was never named as a POI, and I don't think they had any suspects or major clues other than the "traveling phone" and the way the house was left - with the security footage erased, yet nothing of value missing. It was said the ex boyfriend was a truck driver but that was never verified and he was never named. We haven't forgotten you Erica.

Anyone who follows true crime knows this looks like someone who was close / had access to the house. Go to a local Brookfield bar and hear the locals talk about the family. Interesting, from what’s posted here you’d naturally think the boyfriend. The word on the street definitely sings a different tune.

 

[hec60504]

Have the rivers and canals mentioned earlier in the thread been searched?

I lived just a few miles away from Erica, and grew up there. The rivers that are near to her home are the Des Plaines River, Salt Creek, and the I & M Canal. Salt Creek (might be deep enough in some areas though, like west of the Brookfield Zoo) and the I & M Canal are quite shallow. However, the Des Plaines River was around 16' deep in the area near where she lived at the time (USGS Water Levels for Sept. - Oct. 2019 for Lyons, IL.) there is the Sanitary and Ship Canal is close by and the depth there averages around 20'.

I remember hearing that the SSC was searched by radar, but I don't know about the Des Plaines River (which does have a decent current when it's at a high level like it was when Erica went missing). And, the SSC has barges going through it pretty regularly, as well as recreational boaters, so a body could be washed up on the shore, destroyed by the tug's screws, or downstream, etc. How easy is it to find a body by using radar? I'm not sure, so maybe someone can enlighten me here.

From the FBI: "Evidence indicates Thompson's vehicle may have been driven on or about September 26, 2019, by someone other than herself, in the Illinois cities of Brookfield, Decatur, and Mt. Vernon."

 

[hec60504]

"Thompson’s cell phone also pinged to several other nearby communities in the early morning hours including Countryside, Hodgkins, McCook, Forest View, Summit and Bridgeview in IL." - This is interesting, as all of these towns except Bridgeview have access to the Des Plaines River and more importantly, the Sanitary and Ship Canal.

The area near Countryside has thick woods, and was a popular area for The Outfit to dump their murder victims. Also, Lake Ida and Maple Lake are nearby.

"...detectives had written 115 supplemental reports documenting their investigation, indicating they have pursued numerous leads." -Riverside-Brookfield Landmark News, from 2020

I've seen rumors that her car was found in Southern Illinois submerged in a lake - but I cannot find anything online. Can someone confirm or deny this?

 

[Chappy]

Bump For Erica

 

[Cubby]

I work with Erica's cousin. I mentioned this case to him this afternoon. He gave me permission to share the following.

There are multiple POI's, not named because LE doesn't want to tip them off. Her car was recovered from a body of water in central Illinois. She was not in it. Lots of circumstantial evidence, but more is needed to ensure a conviction when the time comes.

The family has been contacted by a well known true crime show (on Netflix )with interest in this case. Fingers crossed Erica's case is resolved soon.