Investigators Detail 'Horrific' Circumstances of 14-Year-Old Girl's Murder
John L. Wilson, Jr. is accused of killing Kelli O'Laughlin, 14, on Oct. 27. Police pursued hundreds of tips to bring "some level of justice," said Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart.
Photos
Police laid out the horrifying circumstances in the Oct. 27 death of 14-year-old Kelli O’Laughlin at a press conference Friday morning and accused parolee John L. Wilson, Jr. of killing O'Laughin after she inadvertently walked in on him burglarizing her house when she arrived home from school.
According to Indian Head Park Police, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and Illinois State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, Wilson broke into the rear of the home on the 6300 block of Keokuk Avenue by putting a rock in a knit cap and hurling it through the dining room window.
After he was confronted by O’Laughlin, authorities say Wilson used a butcher knife from a cutlery block in the family’s kitchen to stab her repeatedly in the back, neck and chest. He then dragged her body from the family room into the kitchen.
“There are no words to describe how horrific it was,” said Alvarez. “All of us who have children—teenagers—are haunted by this crime.”
Both the knife and the knit cap were found at the scene of the crime; a DNA profile from the cap matches Wilson’s own.
Police say Wilson then stole several items from the home: a bowl containing foreign coins, an iPod Touch and Kelli’s own cell phone. Three witnesses saw Wilson in the area between 2:45 and 3:30 p.m., and have identified him positively in a police lineup.
Soon afterwards, Wilson was confronted by a Willow Springs police officer responding to a report of a disturbance in a Willow Springs 7-Eleven convenience store, but not arrested. Dart called the discovery of the police stop near the convenience store a significant break in the investigation because police learned Wilson's name at that time.
From there, Wilson is thought to have hailed a taxi to an Orange Line CTA station near Midway Airport. Wilson paid for the taxi fare using foreign coins.
Police say Wilson used Kelli’s cell phone to send her mother “taunting and disturbing” text messages—but in doing so, allowed police to use both O'Laughlin’s phone and Wilson’s own phone to track his location. Area departments, the FBI and the Secret Service were all involved in the hunt.
“You name it, we did it,” said Dart in reference to the scope of the investigation.
Wilson was arrested on Wednesday on Chicago's South Side. He was arraigned today in 5th District court in Bridgeview on counts of first degree felony murder and residential burglary. No bail was posted.
Alvarez said police currently believe Wilson acted alone, but are still following up on tips and will continue to follow any leads provided to them.
Wilson was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2003 for robbery of a school or place of worship. He was paroled from the Pontiac Correctional facility after serving more than half of that term, the required amount under Illinois state law to be eligible for parole. Police said Wilson also had a “long criminal history” before that.
Alvarez said that if Illinois still used capital punishment, the charges against Wilson would warrant it.
"This a case that definitely would have qualified for the death penalty," she said.
Dart said that investigators are still following up on evidence and more details may be provided at a later date.
Indian Head Park Police Chief Frank Alonzo thanked all the investigators, on all levels, who spent an intense week on the case.
"I'm very thankful for the hard work of Indian Head Park police with the assistance of the [South Suburban] Major Crimes Task Force," Alonzo said.
Dart echoed his sentiments and said that at the end of the day, he hoped some level of justice had been served. Although, he added, he would be naive to say true justice had been served—nothing would bring Kelli back.
Sabrina Wu contributed to the reporting of this story.
Tomato Brazil
4:56 pm on Friday, November 4, 2011
He should share a cell with Ryan and Quinn, every one of them are guilty for this girls murder.
J Steen
1:28 pm on Saturday, December 10, 2011
I do not understand your logic or your silly comment.
George Ryan is a RepubliKlan babykiller - but Pat Quinn is our sitting Governor, found guilty of NOTHING by any jury I am aware of.
You should seek help.
reverened mother
5:37 pm on Friday, November 4, 2011
This is why we should still have the death penalty in Illinois! But since we don't, why not string him up in the 'town square' like in past centuries and let the family have at him? Yes, Tomato Brazil, you are correct, Ryan and Quinn are as much to blame and should stand trial next to him. How much blood does Ryan have on his hands now? Between the License for Hire scandal and letting thugs out of jail? It's a wonder he can sleep at night.
linda
6:25 pm on Friday, November 4, 2011
Agreed.
Mike
9:37 pm on Saturday, December 3, 2011
Yes thanks to IL Governor Pat Quinn who put and end to the Death Penalty in IL just earlier this year - allegedly because of the risk of executing innocent men. When it's a case like this where there's no doubt, the family of the victim is revictimized and it just opens the door for more crimes of the like in IL - the perps know the worst they'll get is a few years in prison.
linda
6:23 pm on Friday, November 4, 2011
This is
Certainly a case that deserves the death penalty. Not nutrious meals in a secure, heated area.
Matthew Hendrickson
12:01 pm on Saturday, November 5, 2011
Actually Linda, death row inmates end up costing tax payers FAR more money than those sentenced to life in prison and generally live in larger, nicer rooms with more ammonites than the general prison population. Here's a great article in the L.A. Times that highlights a lot of this: http://articles.latimes.com/2009/nov/11/local/me-deathrow11
Suburbanresident
4:23 am on Sunday, November 6, 2011
Number one, Matthew, your source is speculation, not documented fact. You base your claim that it costs taxpayers more on something someone said in California. Your claim may be correct, but in Illinois, it may not be correct, especially with the tons of budget cuts the state has seen.
No offense, but it is this type of speculative editing and assumptions based on one person's claim that gives editors like yourself a bad name.
Stop comparing apples and oranges, and if you are going to make a claim you should do so with facts, not with a link to a "this person said" article from another state.
Also, Linda never said one cost more than the other. You just kind of butted in with your opinion, which was kind of rude.
Mike
9:32 pm on Saturday, December 3, 2011
Unfortunatley IL Governor Pat Quinn put and end to the Death Penalty in IL just earlier this year - allegedly because of the risk of executing innocent men. When it's a case like this where there's no doubt the family of the victim is revictimized and this just opens the door for more crimes of the like in IL since the perps know the worst they'll get is a few years in prison.
Paulette Delcourt
9:14 pm on Friday, November 4, 2011
Kelli was so loved, there is no punishment that would fill the void this monster created--but while we're on the subject, whatever happend to "hard labor".
Patrick
12:25 am on Saturday, November 5, 2011
I hope this worthless excuse of a humanbeing rots in hell. I pray that someone sends him there soon and in the most vile and horrible way possible. And I pray that Kelli's soul may rest in peace in the hands of God.
Mary Kennedy
2:03 pm on Saturday, November 5, 2011
He was released but no offender registrations for such criminals necessary. My heart goes out to the family!
Terry Tringle
9:59 am on Sunday, November 6, 2011
This guy has killed. There's no chance for rehabilitation, (and why would we want to anyway). There's no question that he's guilty and should be put to death NOW. End of story.
And by the way, I don't appreciate his family already trying to lay down the insanity defense. So wrong of a thing to do at this time.
Gina Hampton
3:01 pm on Sunday, November 6, 2011
http://www.idoc.state.il.us/subsections/search/inms.asp?idoc=B15948
how the heck can this wild animals family consciously come forward asking for an insanity plea with a record this long .... seriously, drop him out in the middle of the Ocean and let the sharks have at him. Why pay taxes on trash like this! He's useless to any of us!
Ice Man
3:36 pm on Sunday, November 6, 2011
I know why... In this day and age no one any more is responsible for their action. It is always someone else's fault. People have forgotten to look in the mirror to see get the answer for why things happen. Either you own action or inaction. Parents blame teacher about their chilld's poor test scores. Do they get involved with your child's homework? Others complain about the bank loan they signed, but did you read what your were signing. ( I know there were other factors too.) I am not a hurtful man; I do believe you reap what you sow. Since Illinois no longer has a death penalty, hopefully someone on the inside will help us out in that manner.
clarhillsmom
8:16 pm on Sunday, November 6, 2011
I think it is hurtful to say anything about the residents not calling this in. There is no blood on their hands whatsoever, and I am sure they are broken hearted. What are you supposed to cal lthe police becuase you see a black man or someone you do not know in your neighborhood? Relatives of this monster have told judges this guy is not right in the head; yet we let these nut jobs out of prison and do not even require ankle bracelet monitoring? As for the relatives laying out an insanity plea- - the grandmother said if he did it; he should get the electric chair.
Terry Tringle
11:15 pm on Sunday, November 6, 2011
I apologize if I came on a little too strong with one of my earlier comments. I don't mean to lay blame but wanted to make it clear that we all have to be more vigilant! If you see something, then say something. You know who belongs in a neighborhood and who doesn't and with the rash of summer burglaries that took place in this area the police need all the extra eyes and ears they can get. A lot of people in this world these days just mind their own business and turn the other way and it's so frustrating. I'm not putting up with any more crap out there. From now on I'm calling the cops on anyone who I feel doesn't belong and just makes me look twice. Black, yellow, orange, white, etc. Burglaries rarely happen at night. If you're a guy creeping around at night, you're instantly suspicous. If you do the same thing during the day, you're just a guy out walking around. That's where people need to WAKE UP! The people you're dealing with a career savvy criminals and they know how to play you!
The fact that this animal's family came out and making excuses for what he did and then suggest that he must be crazy for what he continued to do to the mother is ridiculous. They need to stop trying to step into the spotlight and work whatever angles they're trying to work here.
allena johnson
11:03 pm on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
To those who believe, we all know God said vengeance is mine!
Donna J. Goodwin
4:02 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Amen, Allena, but I could go along with helping this guy meet his Maker a little sooner. I don't know how I missed this story last year. I read it today and my heart was in my throat. I am praying for Kelli, her family and friends, and for all of us. I have a 16 yr. old granddaughter who comes home to a dog and cat sometimes. I pray Tawnie barks her head off and Harvey "cat-attacks" but they could be the first victims. Oh, Lord, protect us all from evil.
And, make sure the judicial system has all their ducks in a row so this guy is the one who does NOT slip through the cracks. He and that Peterson jerk could spend life together in a cell I would love to design. Silence of the Lambs wouldn't hold a candle to my nasty, little mind. :->
Donna Goodwin
from Hinsdale to Temple City, Ca.
John Q
5:25 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012
I don't understand how it could cost so much to execute. I donate the ammo and pull the trigger for free. Or ill buy a nice rope...its reuseable. I know nothing will bring her back but the criminals that do these things need to be erased from this world. If you kill an inoccent person in cold blood, you need to meet your maker and answer for what you have done. Its our job here on earth to set up that meeting