GUILTY IL - Kristina Wesselman, 15, raped & murdered, Glen Ellyn, 21 July 1985

[Cubby]

:bump:

bumping for Kristina, praying leads are opening up in this case.

I was reading about how familial dna searching allowed California to nab the Grim Sleeper serial killer. California is one of 4 states in which familial dna in Codis is legal. I don't know which states are the other three. I'd sure love for Illinois to be one... it might help solve some of these cold cases, including Kristina's. While some argue it is an invasion of privacy, if one hasn't done wrong it's not a problem.

http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2010/07/scientists-explain-how-familial.html

Still praying for answers and justice for Kristina and her family.

 

[Cubby]

Today marks the 27th anniversary of Kristy's unsolved murder.

Kristy is not forgotten. Praying her family and friends know they are not alone in seeking and praying for justice for their daughter, sister, friend. raying: :rose:

 

[karah]

Was the knife ever found?

 

[karah]

Curious, my wife and I were walking the dog on that day and about that time. Memory is beginning to fade but we clearly remember being in that area and a very disheveled guy on a bike maybe in late teens riding through "Hidden Lake" directly across the street in a huge hurry wearing a white undershirt and long dark pants with dirt everywhere. My wife was behind me and was alarmed enough when she caught up to me to ask If saw the guy, which I responded, yea he looks like he's in a huge hurry and upset. at the time we thought he either worked a t Jewel or was coming home from a late mass. I believe he was riding an old bike like an old Huffy or Schwinn because it was very thick. We had no idea why he would be in their because its hard to get out of their unless u take it down to the Arboretum and cross the street to the Valley. It took forever for the cops to call us back and they seemed quite disinterested. His behavior was very peculiar and in hind sight over the years I felt he just got off work at Jewel because it looked like a Jewel uniform per say. I thought at least the cops would follow up and show us pictures of Jewel baggers and cashiers but to no avail. Question, were their any bike tracks at the scene, or is it possible he went home on foot and got his bike and potentially took that to "Hidden Lake" to dispose of the knife...It is directly across the street and he really was a mess.

 

[Cubby]

Welcome to WS, karah and thank you for your interest in Kristina's case.
:welcome:

I have to relook at this case to refresh my memory of the events.

What do you mean by coming home from a late mass?

Back to school is in a few days and I will have more free time later this upcoming week.

Still praying for resolution in this case soon! lease:

 

[karah]

I meant the guy on the bike looked in uniform such as older alter boy , usher or Jewel employee. He was noticeably upset and quite dirty for being in uniform of sorts. I always felt despite what happen we almost called the cops anyway because he didn't fit in to being at the lake in that attire. That lake was used to fish and dog walking with no easy out for a bike of that type or older kid of that type to be in there on bike. I've never seen anyone on bike in that lake area prior to that are being fixed up years later. That was or use to be very desolate. I always told my wife I'd like to see if that guy on the bike matched up to an employee of Jewel at the time. Who ever it was the time line fits and he certainly did not fit in the area.

 

[karah]

That area, if you go back to 85 was not what it is today...(The Lake)

 

[karah]

My question would be could someone of used the lake to throw away the weapon on the way home if they lived in the Valley. I may be over reacting but this has bothered my wife and I for years because the guy we saw was more than just concerning.

 

[Cubby]

:bump:

I haven't forgotten about catching up with this case. Hopefully this week I'll have a little more time to review the info again.

Off the top of my head, I am wondering again if the banquet hall was there when Kristina was murdered? My memories of that area in 85 are vague. I remember the few houses along 53 that always flooded and were later torn down.

I don't believe the lake was viewable from the road, hence the name hidden lake... So anyone biking there would have had to be local?

Karah, have you spoken with the detectives currently handling Kristina's case? I do not believe the detectives handling the case today would be as disinterested as the cops that handled the case back in 85 when Kristina was murdered. I've been in contact with them for a few cases and they have always been very receptive to information I have provided.

 

[karah]

NO, I haven't> They were very dismissive and uninterested when we talked in the past and we had to chase them down. I cant say for certain that what we saw was related but I can assure you the guy biking in the woods did not belong and was ver distressed. That coupled with the uniform type clothes certainly warrants a look at Jewel employees. Why would anyone in a uniform type outfit be filthy dirty if going to work or coming from work.

 

[SMartian]

NO, I haven't> They were very dismissive and uninterested when we talked in the past and we had to chase them down. I cant say for certain that what we saw was related but I can assure you the guy biking in the woods did not belong and was ver distressed. That coupled with the uniform type clothes certainly warrants a look at Jewel employees. Why would anyone in a uniform type outfit be filthy dirty if going to work or coming from work.

Karah, after reading your posts and this one below by Cubby, I think it is very important that you contact the new detectives handling this case regarding what you and your wife saw that day. I, too, feel it might have something to do with someone from the store and the statement made by V.R., makes me wonder if an employee rode a bike for their shift at the Jewel Store that day? I think what you saw deserves to be checked out. I hope if you do speak to them that you are treated respectfully and they at least look into it.

I did find one media link, which is also contained in the scanned articles Quessie was able to provide in her blog.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-07-23/news/8502170794_1_subdivision-path-valley-residents

Of interest from the above article. (snippets follow).

Undersheriff Robert Soucek said. Kristina, known as ``Kristy`` to her friends and family, was last seen in the store about 4 p.m. Sunday.

A store checker, V.R, 21, who said he has known the girl for years, recalled seeing her leave. ``I said, `Take care.` She said, `Okay.` She was smiling. Nothing looked out of the ordinary,`` he said.

R, a Northern Illinois University student, said that he used to baby-sit the girl and that she went to the store frequently. ``As far as I was concerned, she was going back home,`` he said. ``It`s kind of an eerie feeling.``

V.R said he used the path behind the store to get home about 5:30 p.m. Sunday and did not see anything unusual.

Several other residents reported taking the popular shortcut through 3-to 4-foot weeds and a clutch of trees connecting the Valley, a tightly knit community, with the shopping center Sunday evening and Monday morning. All said they saw nothing unusual.


(full name from MSM changed to initials for privacy)

 

[Cubby]

Karah, after reading your posts and this one below by Cubby, I think it is very important that you contact the new detectives handling this case regarding what you and your wife saw that day. I, too, feel it might have something to do with someone from the store and the statement made by V.R., makes me wonder if an employee rode a bike for their shift at the Jewel Store that day? I think what you saw deserves to be checked out. I hope if you do speak to them that you are treated respectfully and they at least look into it.

I agree. It might even be possible to look at some photo's of possible suspects or assist with a sketch.

I also wonder if it is possible to get a list of Jewel's employee's (if that was not already done) and compare them to available criminal records.

Karah, if you are still reading, please call or email the tip. No tip is too small. It might be what breaks this case wide open and brings justice to Kristina.


Unsolved Murders

The Sheriff's Cold Case Unit is currently reviewing the following unsolved murders These cases have been selected because our investigators believe that they can be solved - with the help of forensic science and the community.

If you have any information regarding any of these cases, please call the Sheriff's Office at 630.407.2400 and ask for the Cold Case Unit. You may also e-mail the unit.


http://www.dupagesheriff.org/VictimServices/152/

 

[SMartian]

I hope Karah is still checking this thread too. Another thing to do is see if it is possible to find out what sort of uniform the store employee's wore? It seems most likely that the suspect followed her from the store, whether it was an employee, customer or passerby. Someone was watching her when she probably walked towards the store and knew if he followed her, he would be able to grab her and isolate her from anyone passing thru on the path. I really don't think it was another person who just ended up on the path when she did. I believe it was someone who saw the opportunity and without much thought, he took it.

Karah, there are new detectives on this case and I am sure they handle things like witness statements a little differently today. At any rate, I know it has weighed on your minds all these years and it would be good for you and your wife to be relieved of that worry.

 

[Cubby]

:bump:

 

[glenellyngirl]

Hi everyone. I am a new member of the site. Not sure what I can contribute here in regards to Kristina Wesselman. I am a Glenbard South graduate as is one of my sons and another currently attending. I've lived in Glen Ellyn since 1975 and frequented the area of which Kristina was murdered and still do today. Ironically my former father-in-law is Robert Soucek, the sheriff deputy who handled the case. I often was tempted to ask him about the case but his personality is such that I don't think he would have been willing to offer much - if he could even recall any details. For whatever reason I go through stages of thinking about Kristen and it's quite possible because I will have gone to Walmart (next to what was the Jewel grocery) that day. As strange as it might sound but I almost feel like her spirit is still in the area and I truly hope before her mother's death, that this case will be solved. The news reports almost every day of cold cases being solved. Let's really, really hope we all will be blessed with this one.

 

[Kell1]

NO, I haven't> They were very dismissive and uninterested when we talked in the past and we had to chase them down. I cant say for certain that what we saw was related but I can assure you the guy biking in the woods did not belong and was ver distressed. That coupled with the uniform type clothes certainly warrants a look at Jewel employees. Why would anyone in a uniform type outfit be filthy dirty if going to work or coming from work.

Hi Karah

Quick question, can you recall was there any reports of any other crimes in that area prior to the murder?

Not necessarily rapes/murders, but perhaps robberies, sexual assaults, people held against their will?

 

[Claudette]

That boy on the bike is very interesting to me. It sounds like she left Jewel at the top of an hour, when someone could potentially be getting off of work.

Whether or not a Jewel employee was involved, I think the fact that DNA does not match anyone is a good indicator of who this is. I don't think it was a pedophile. I think it was a teenager or young adult male that on impulse followed her and attacked her. I don't think they were strangers, but I don't have an opinion on how well they knew each other.

I think it was a perfect storm of him being obsessed and possessive with her and realizing that he was leaving work (or was walking) right behind her and that she was going into an empty field. It makes sense to me that he would take the ring then and give it to another girl to almost make her Kristina.

 

[bessie]

Welcome, glenellyngirl!


:welcome5:


In June, 1985, Donna LePore was shot to death in her home in Downer's Grove. Her murder is unsolved. From what I can tell, Downer's Grove is less than five miles from where Kristina's body was found. Maybe glenellyngirl or another local can confirm.

http://www.dupagesheriff.org/VictimServices/152/


This article talks about the high percentage of women murdered in DuPage County 1982-85. Donna and Kristina are mentioned.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...rder-victims-gang-killings-teen-gang-activity

 

[Cubby]

Welcome, glenellyngirl!


:welcome5:


In June, 1985, Donna LePore was shot to death in her home in Downer's Grove. Her murder is unsolved. From what I can tell, Downer's Grove is less than five miles from where Kristina's body was found. Maybe glenellyngirl or another local can confirm.

http://www.dupagesheriff.org/VictimServices/152/


This article talks about the high percentage of women murdered in DuPage County 1982-85. Donna and Kristina are mentioned.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...rder-victims-gang-killings-teen-gang-activity

Hi Bessie. I'm local to the area. Where Kristy was murdered is closest to bordering Lisle. I wouldn't connect any of the other murders to Kristy's murders, or at least I don't have any reason to as of yet.

I can't carry over links to maps, but the area Kristy was murdered is just north of Morton Arboretum, which is 1700 acres. Just east of where she was murdered are forest preserves and the east branch of the DuPage river.

If anyone was to map the intersections of Rt 56 and Rt 53 in Glen Ellyn they'd get an idea of the area. It was not as developed in 85 as it is now.

The recent cold case arrest for the girl from Palatine who was murdered and found in Racine, WI made me think of Kristy.

I keep hoping one of these days a link to this case from an unexpected place pops up and the case is solved.

 

[Cubby]

Welcome glenellyngirl! My sons godmother recently moved and I pass the Walmart on 53 on the way to her new house. I think of Kristy every time I drive by.

Thank you for joining us and welcome to WS! :welcome: