Local News

CHICAGO (WBBM Newsradio 780) ― There is a sad new chapter in the story involving the family of Chicago murder victim Kevin Clewer. Clewer's mother, Pam Cunningham, died Thursday less than a week after being rushed to a Rockford hospital with breathing problems and chest pains. Cunningham was 56.

Hers became a familiar voice during Newsradio 780's Continuing Coverage of "The North Side Murders" investigation, including the Clewer case. Pam Cunningham's words put a human face on the murder. She described unthinkable grief and immeasurable heartache and gave the first-person account of a mother whose son was brutally murdered.

"We were very close," Cunningham said about her relationship with Kevin. "I lost my best friend. We all lost so much, a big part of my heart, I can say that much," she told Newsradio 780 during the May 2004 interview.

Cunningham shared memories of her son on WBBM, first as therapy – "It's been weeks and I still wake up every morning and for two or three minutes I will be okay and then for uncontrollable reasons just start crying and can't stop." Then for justice, unstoppable in her quest to find her son's killer. "We are in desperate need of help to find this person," she told reporters during a May 17, 2004 news conference to announce a reward in the case.

Pam Cunningham led the charge to keep her son's case in the public eye. As mother, activist and even detective, she returned often to her son's Lakeview neighborhood. She handed out fliers, conducted media interviews and marched in the gay pride parade.

Last month, on the one year anniversary of the Clewer murder, Cunningham penned a letter to her son's killer. The letter was addressed to a killer whose identity and whereabouts were unknown. Cunningham described the year gone by filled with overwhelming grief, of empty holidays and frequent graveside visits.

"To my son's killer, it's time we talk," she wrote. "I think about you a lot wondering what kind of person you are. Do you ever think about Kevin? Does it ever bother you? You saw the last breathes of life my son took. His life ended by your hand. Have you done this before? Will you do this again?"

"I'm really hoping the words will reach him," Cunningham later told WBBM.

Family members said the stress of the past year undoubtedly had a role in Pam Cunningham's declining health and may have had a role in her sudden death. Her friend and former husband, Jim Clewer, Kevin's father, blamed the killer. "The person who killed Kevin killed Pam," he told Newsradio 780. "That person is responsible for this."

Cunningham was pronounced dead at approximately 1:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Anthony's Hospital in Rockford. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Cunningham lived in Fairdale, Illinois near Rockford. She was born November 11, 1948.

Visitation was scheduled from 2-6 p.m. Sunday and funeral services will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m. at the Quiram Funeral Home, 1245 Somonauk St. in Sycamore.

Kevin Clewer, 31, was killed March 24, 2004. He was found stabbed to death in the third floor bedroom of his Lakeview apartment at 3444 N. Elaine Place. Detectives continued the nationwide manhunt for a man seen with Clewer before the murder. A widely circulated composite sketch identified the man as "Fernando," described by police as white or Hispanic, 5 foot 7, about 25 years old, with an athletic build and dark wavy hair with a Hispanic or European-Spanish accent. Police called the man the "prime suspect" in the investigation.

The Clewer killing is one of at least two unsolved north side murders involving gay male victims. Police also investigated the August 2003 killing of Chicago theatre director Brad Winters. Winters, 38, also died of multiple stab wounds. The killing took place in Winters apartment at 526 W. Belden. At the time of his death, Winters was artistic director for the Terrapin Theatre Company in Chicago.

Cook County Crimestoppers began distributing fliers about the Clewer case last month. The non-profit group collects anonymous tips and offers a cash reward for information. The family also offered a $20,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of Kevin's killer. They set up a web site about the case. http://www.4chicagokev.com/.

Anyone with information about the Clewer or Winters murders was urged to contact Belmont Area Detectives (312) 744-8261. Anonymous tips can also be made to Cook County Crimestoppers at (800) 535-STOP.

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