Strangling Suspect In Custody In Schaumburg Woman's Murder

Updated at 8:28 p.m.:

SCHAUMBURG, IL — Schaumburg police Wednesday night say they have a suspect in custody in the strangulation murder of 33-year-old Tiffany Thrasher. No details were immediately released, but police will host a press conference on Thursday morning.

Police said only that the suspect is male, according to the Daily Herald.

ORIGINAL STORY:

A murderer likely got into a Schaumburg woman's apartment through an unlocked ground-floor window, police said Tuesday. Tiffany Thrasher, 33, was found dead in her home in the 2600 block of Clipper Drive Sunday after she missed an Easter morning church service, prompting friends to ask police to conduct a well-being check. Police said Thrasher was killed sometime between arriving home from dinner with friends at around 8 p.m. Saturday and 11:45 a.m. Sunday.

Detectives scoured the scene, coming to the conclusion that the killer likely accessed the apartment through the window and may have sexually assaulted Thrasher, police said. Investigators are awaiting crime lab results, according to a press release.

On Tuesday, Thrasher's sister, Misty King, set up a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for a memorial in Thrasher's honor. "We are at a complete loss," she wrote. "Tiffany was a loving, happy young lady whom had overcome so much in her life. She found her one true love in Jesus, she loved her church, her family, her canine children and her Chicago Cubs."

Thrasher's sister said many people have asked how they can help in the wake of her tragic death.

We want to provide Tiffany a memorial service that will celebrate her life that was taken so early. We do not have any answer on why, what you see on the media, is simply that, the media. They are trying to help and we pray that anyone that knows anything will come forward. So as her family we are asking you her friends to pray, to think and if possible contribute to her funeral arrangements. Due to the ongoing active investigations we do not yet know if she even had any insurance and we don't want to leave our Tiffany waiting in an unknown place on this earth. We know her soul has found eternal peace but she deserves to be honored in this transition.

As of early Wednesday, nearly $4,000 had been donated to the fund. King said the outpouring of support has been overwhelming, writing, "In the face of such tragedy and grief please know that all of you have touched us greatly. The kind words about Tiffany, prayers, calls, texts and donations are what is carrying our family right now."

Shocked neighbors told ABC Chicago that Thrasher's murder has left them frightened. "I'm freaked out. I've lived here for nine years and I can leave my car door open. Nothing happens," one woman said. Thrasher — who was supposed to sing with the church choir on Easter — was a Texas native and had recently moved into the apartment, which she shared with a roommate who was away from the weekend, ABC reported.

Schaumburg police on Wednesday issued a community alert and said they are stepping up patrols and detectives in the area. Police urged residents to follow these home safety tips:

• Residents are reminded to utilize a peep hole or window to see who is at the door before opening the door. Do not allow any strangers into your home.
• Lock all windows and doors.
• Use a solid deadbolt lock with minimum 1-inch throw.
• Have trees and bushes trimmed to avoid areas of concealment around your home.
• Interior lighting is necessary to show signs of occupancy/activity inside a residence particularly at night.
• Utilize external lights (front and back). Motion sensor activated lights are effective.

Police also urged citizens to call 911 to report any suspicious people or vehicles, taking care to note the make, model and color of the vehicle and license plate if possible, along with a description of any suspicious people such as race, height, weight, hair color, eye color, age, clothing description and any distinctive features the person may have.

Anyone who may have information on the crime is asked to call the Schaumburg Detective Division at (847) 882-3534 or the Anonymous Tip Line at (847) 348-7055

Tiffany Thrasher/Image via GoFundMe