Midwest
DNA helps Illinois police make breakthrough in 1970s cold case murder of 19-year-old
Suspected 1970s serial killer Bruce Lindahl has been identified as the culprit in a 1979 cold case murder through DNA evidence, Illinois authorities announced Wednesday.
In a surprising turn of events, the clothing 19-year-old Kathy Halle was wearing at the time of her mysterious disappearance March 29, 1979, has been linked to Lindahl.
North Aurora Police Det. Ryan Peat said at a news conference that, on the night of her disappearance, Halle left her apartment to pick up her sister at the Northgate Shopping Center in Aurora, Illinois, but she never returned. Her body was found in a river several weeks later.
The case stayed cold for decades, until advancements of DNA testing prompted investigators to reopen the case.
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This undated file photo provided by the Lisle, Ill., Police Department shows Bruce Lindahl. (Lisle Police Department via AP)
In 2019, Peat said, police in nearby Lisle, Illinois, reopened the 1976 murder case of 16-year-old Pamela Maurer and used DNA to link Lindahl to the slaying.
In 2020, North Aurora detectives met with the Lisle Police Department, and evidence was scrutinized from Halle’s case and sent for additional testing, Peat said. The detective shared that the DNA was too degraded for a clear conclusion that Lindahl was responsible.
In 2022, the North Aurora Police Department learned that there was a box of evidence with Lindahl’s belongings at the police department in Naperville, Illinois. Peat said that evidence showed that Lindahl often visited where Halle worked.
Peat said he turned to a new DNA tool, the “M-Vac,” which can assist in collecting DNA from older cases.
In August, results showed that Lindahl’s DNA was found on Halle’s clothing. Investigators concluded that she was taken from her home and murdered that night in March 1979.
In March 1979, Kathy Halle disappeared en route to pick up her sister. (FOX 32)
“This was a long and challenging investigation, but today we’re able to give the Halle family the answers they’ve waited decades for,” Peat said.
Lindahl, who is believed to have killed as many as a dozen women and girls, died in April 1981 while stabbing a man to death in Naperville. During the struggle, Lindahl somehow stabbed himself in a femoral artery. His body was found atop the victim’s.
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If Lindahl were still alive, he would have been charged in Halle’s murder based on the new evidence, according to State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser.
“This case would have been charged in a court of law had Bruce Lindahl not died in 1981. His pattern of violence, combined with the DNA evidence we now have, leaves no doubt that he was responsible for Kathy’s tragic death. While we cannot prosecute Lindahl, the family now knows the truth, and justice — though delayed — has finally been served for Kathy,” Mosser said during the press briefing.
Detective Ryan Peat said the DNA present on Halle’s clothing matched Lindahl’s. (FOX 32)
Halle’s family said in a statement that revisiting the case had been difficult, but they are grateful to have closure after 45 years.
“Thanks to advancements in DNA technology and groundbreaking investigative tools, we are hopeful that other families won’t have to endure the same pain and uncertainty that we faced for so many years,” the family said. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the North Aurora Police Department and all the agencies and organizations involved for their dedication, persistence, and for never giving up, even when the odds seemed impossible.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the North Aurora Police Department for comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Milwaukee, WI
Brewers, Salvation Army pack hundreds of lunches for Milwaukee children through Feed the Kids program
MILWAUKEE—- The Milwaukee Brewers and The Salvation Army teamed up Monday to help fight childhood hunger by packing hundreds of lunches for children across Milwaukee County.
Brewers front office staff, volunteers, and community leaders assembled 600 lunches at American Family Field as part of the annual Feed the Kids summer meals program.
Each lunch includes a turkey sandwich with cheese, fruit, vegetables, and milk. The meals will be distributed to children on weekdays through August 21st at six locations throughout Milwaukee County while school is out for the summer. The locations include Salvation Army Citadel Corps, Cold Springs Corps, Tiefenthaler Park, Westlawn Gardens, Salvation Army Distribution Center, and Carver Park. The Salvation Army also reminds attendees that all meals must be eaten on-site in accordance with USDA policy.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County Area Commander Major Beverly Gates, and Brewers players Andrew Vaughn and Chad Patrick joined volunteers during the event.
“While school is out, many children lose access to the meals they depend upon during the school year,” Major Beverly said. “Feed the Kids helps to fill that void, making sure that children have something nutritious to eat and reminding them that they are valued, that they’re important and that they’re supported.”
The Feed the Kids program began in 1990 and has provided more than 2.8 million meals to children facing food insecurity across Milwaukee County.
“I think just the act of making a sandwich may not seem like a lot, but really, for the kids across Milwaukee, it means a ton,” Mayor Johnson said. “For kids in Milwaukee and for kids in cities, the hunger really spikes when they’re no longer in school, when they don’t have, you know, that sort of structured programming around them. So the work that you’re doing today, it may seem pretty simple making a sandwich, but it really goes much farther than that.”
Organizers say the program helps fill the gap for families who rely on school meal programs during the academic year, ensuring children continue to have access to nutritious lunches throughout the summer.
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis City Council member Aisha Chughtai taking mental health leave for a month
Minneapolis City Council member Aisha Chughtai said Monday she will be taking a monthlong leave to seek outpatient care for her mental health.
Chughtai said her “office will remain open to continue serving the people of Ward 10,” but she will miss the council meeting on July 16. She plans to return before the July 30 meeting.
“I love representing the people of this Ward. It’s the greatest honor of my life. And that’s why I feel obligated to do so to the best of my abilities,” Chughtai said in a statement. “Because of the current state of my mental health, I fear falling short of that obligation. That’s why I’m briefly stepping back. I fully expect to return energized and ready to give more than ever for the people of Ward 10 and everyone in the city.”
In her statement, Chughtai cited “a high-stakes election … several mass shootings, and a federal occupation” as recent stressors on her mental health.
Chughtai said she has notified the council and Mayor Jacob Frey, and encouraged Ward 10 residents to contact her office via email with any questions or concerns.
“I know that when I return, I’ll be back stronger, ready to form deeper partnerships, and ready to fight even harder for our neighbors,” she said.
Chughtai was first elected in 2021 to represent Ward 10, which includes the south Minneapolis neighborhoods of East Bde Maka Ska, East Isles, Lowry Hill East, South Uptown and Whittier.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, get help from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Trained crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day to talk about anything.
In addition, help is available from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI. Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264 or text “HelpLine” to 62640. There are more than 600 local NAMI organizations and affiliates across the country, many of which offer free support and education programs.
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