Kelli O’Laughlin Funeral Set for Friday; Killer Still Out There: Report
Reward fund grows to $40,000 as anonymous donors step forward
Update: No Bail for Suspect John L. Wilson Jr. in Kelli O'Laughlin's Murder
The family of Kelli O'Laughlin, a 14-year-old stabbed to death last week, has set the funeral for the dead teen at 9:45 a.m. Friday at St. John of the Cross Church located at 5005 Wolf Road, Western Springs.
Indian Head Park police believe that O'Laughlin walked in on a burglary in progress at her home on the 6300 block of Keokuk Road on Thursday and was stabbed to death. She was returning from school. The body of the Lyons Township High School freshman was discovered at home by her mother around 5:30 p.m. on the day she was killed, according to news reports. Kelli O'Laughlin was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The unidentified killer is still out there somewhere.
Prior to the funeral service, visitation for Kelli O'Laughlin will take place between 4 and 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday at Hallowell and James funeral home. The funeral home is located at 1025 West 55th St., Countryside. The teen will be buried at Fairmont Willow Hills Memorial Park in Willow Springs, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Reports are that the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said the cause of death was multiple stab and incised [knife-like] wounds.
Indian Head Park police on Friday released a composite sketch of a person of interest they are looking to talk to regarding O'Laughlin's homicide.
Authorities have also said witnesses have described a suspect as a black male of dark complexion who is between 30 and 35 years. This person is believed to be between 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-9 with a medium build, and was reportedly seen in the Indian Head Park area wearing a dark hoodie and a backpack.
Police said the suspect made off with several rare coins, including some from a Las Vegas casino, according to NBC Chicago. Police believe that this person may try to sell the coins. Police are asking anyone who come across the suspect or the rare coins to contact them immediately.
While the police continue their search, anonymous donors have stepped forward since O'Laughlin's murder and have contributed to a reward fund in hopes that something will lead to the arrest of the person who snuffed out the teenager's life.
Kathy Leach at the Indian Head Park Administrative Center has told the media that the reward fund is now more than $40,000. There is a bank account set up at Hinsdale Bank and Trust and at its branch in Western Springs for donations.
Anyone who would like to make a donation should make the checks to Kelli O'Laughlin Reward Account, according to LaGrange Patch.
Bank employees also told LaGrange Patch that a separate memorial fund will be created in O'Laughlin's honor in the next few days and therefore, it is important to specify which account the donation is intended for.
Anyone mailing their donations should ensure the envelopes are marked to the attention of O'Laughlin Reward Account or O'Laughlin Memorial Account.
Donations can be mailed or dropped off at these three locations:
Community Bank of Western Springs: 1000 Hillgrove Avenue, Western Springs, IL
Indian Head Park Administrative Center: 201 Acacia Drive, Indian Head Park, IL 60525
Hinsdale Bank and Trust: 25 E First Street, Hinsdale, IL 60521
Also Read: Police Seeks Person of Interest in Kelli O'Laughlin Stabbing Death [PHOTO]
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