Unsolved Crimes in Chicago History: Dark Tales of Horrific Murders and Disappearances

The storied history of Chicago is not merely a tale of progress and innovation; it is also riddled with horrific crimes that have puzzled law enforcement and shocked residents for decades. From unsolved mysteries to confirmed murders, this article delves into some of the worst crimes that have happened in Chicago. Let's uncover some of the darkest stories from the past.

Worst Crimes in Chicago: The Longest Serving Inmate and the Lipstick Killer

In 1946, William Heirens was arrested and became the longest serving inmate in Chicago history. He spent over four decades in prison before being released. Known as the Lipstick Killer, he was primarily convicted for strangling two women on the north side of Chicago. His most notorious crime, however, was the murder and dismemberment of a six-year-old girl, Suzanne Degnan, in the mid-1940s. The body parts of Degnan were discovered in sewers and in a garden apartment. If there were unsolved cases like Project Innocence back then, the evidence would surely point to Heirens not being responsible for Degnan's murder. Even though he was linked to the crime after breaking and entering, he was never officially charged for this heinous act.

Unsolved Cases from the 1950s

During the 1950s, several unsolved cases left a lasting impact on the city. One of the most disturbing cases involves the Peterson-Schussler murders. In 1957, three young boys were found stoned to death after being raped. After decades of unsolved mystery, the case was finally solved in 1995 when a handyman who worked at Silas Jayne's horse stables was implicated. Jayne was known to be behind several unsolved murders and disappearances, including that of Helen Vorhees Brach, who was the heiress to the Brach candy fortune. This case should be the subject of a compelling film, exploring Jayne's mysterious and dark influence on Chicago's criminal underworld.

The Grimes Sisters and the I-57 Killer

The Grimes sisters, along with their friend Helen, disappeared in December 1957 after seeing an Elvis film. Their bodies were found frozen off a road in Willow Springs the following month. This case remains one of the most chilling unsolved mysteries of Chicago, as no one expects it to be solved. Another disturbing case from the 1950s involves the I-57 Killer, who has been in solitary confinement since his capture in the 1970s. He is not much of a threat within the prison system, and some might even say he deserves a more humane treatment based on his incarceration conditions.

The 1960s and Beyond

The 1960s saw a series of murders that were linked to Silas Jayne. One of the most notable was Richard Speck, a drifter who entered a townhouse in the Luella Park neighborhood in May 1968 and killed eight nurses. He was caught two days later in a flophouse, identified by the surviving nurse through his "Born To Raise Hell" tattoo. Another infamous case was that of John Wayne Gacy in 1979, who was finally caught and confessed to killing at least 33 people over a decade. Larry Eyler, another murderer, was caught in 1982. The case of a woman who was pushed or jumped from the 80th floor of the John Hancock Building in 1974 remains unsolved to this day.

Notable Cases and Recent Developments

Laurie Dann was the first active school shooter in the country, leaving behind a tragic legacy in 1988. She had a history of arson and had often committed crimes in different towns in the north suburbs. On the day she killed herself, she went into Hubbard Woods grade school and shot to death an eight-year-old girl. Despite the shocking nature of these events, recent developments have focused more on gang-related murders and modified crime techniques. Crime rates have dropped, and the public now prioritizes preventing the spread of crime rather than solving older cases.

In conclusion, Chicago's history is a patchwork of both progress and darkness. These unsolved and solved cases serve as a reminder of the city's grim past and the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement and communities today. While some records may remain hidden, the stories of these crimes continue to fascinate and haunt the city's population.