Feb 8, 2007 11:53 pm US/Central
Cops May Have Break In Case Of Model's Murder
Lauren Kiefer Was Found Dead Christmas Day In Her West Suburban Home
CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman and Mike Puccinelli contributed to this report.
WHEATON, Ill. (CBS) ―
-
-
Kiefer was found dead in this home in unincorporated Oakbrook Terrace.
CBS
While authorities aren't commenting, reports say they may have a break in the Christmas Day murder of a 24-year-old model in the western suburbs.
As CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman reports, the Daily Herald says sources close to the investigation have indicated that DNA evidence links a 25-year-old man to the murder of Lauren Kiefer in unincorporated Oakbrook Terrace last December.
The Daily Herald reported the man was already in jail for alleged crimes including sexual assault. The same report says he lived very near Kiefer's home and grew up with her, although they were not close friends.
An accused rapist who lived in a house near Kiefer's home is in the DuPage County Jail awaiting charges that the Daily Herald reports link him to the Christmas night murder of Lauren Kiefer, a young model he knew and happened to live nearby.
The DuPage County state's attorney's office declined to comment Thursday.
Authorities believe Kiefer was returning from a family gathering when she walked in on the man as he was burglarizing her home on Christmas Day.
Police say Kiefer was beaten to death with a bat.
Frank Buss lives next door to Kiefer watched her grow into a beautiful fashion model. He spoke with CBS 2 West Suburban Bureau Chief Mike Puccinelli in December.
"She was just a wonderful, gorgeous and gracious lady and her mother is just the same," Buss said.
Buss commented on the slaying again on Thursday.
"It's been terrible, terrible shock," Buss said "I've lived here about 45 years. There's been nothing like this ever happen in this neighborhood. It's been a quiet residential, good neighborhood. She was just a super girl living with her mother in that big house."
Neighbors said in December it was Lauren's mother who found her daughter's battered body.
Buss said Kiefer's mother has not stayed in the house.
"I just hope it's this person who did this terrible, terrible crime. And if it is he, I hope they execute him like they do in Iraq," Buss said.
CBS 2 tried to reach the victim's relatives, but none were available.
CBS 2 has learned that a 25-year-old man who is suspected is being held on $2 million bond.
That's for a separate case where sources say in 2005 he invaded a woman's home by forcing his way in through a garage. According to the indictment, he then robbed and raped her.
Late last year a DNA test linked the suspect to the Aurora rape. DNA is also believed to link the 25-year-old electrician to Kiefer's murder.
The suspect's neighbors could hardly believe the news.
A neighbor who wanted to remain anonymous has known the suspect for eight years. He said he always seemed like a normal hardworking guy, until he got mixed up in drugs.
The local fire department is only feet away from the scene, and the police department is located just 1,000 feet down the street.
As of late January, the DuPage County sheriff's office had been offering a reward of $47,000 from private donors for information on the case.
The Daily Herald also says offender asked "unsettling questions" about case, prompting further investigation.
The report indicates that sources say the man linked to the crime may be indicted soon on, among other things, murder charges.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Get breaking news alerts
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
