Kokoraleis To Remain At Wayside Cross Until 'Solution' Found

AURORA, IL -- Convicted Ripper Crew killer Thomas Kokoraleis will keep living at Wayside Cross Ministries in Aurora, at least for the time being. Wayside Cross officials held a special meeting Monday night to address public outcry for its choice to house Kokoraleis. In an online letter, Wayside Cross Ministries Executive Director James Lukose said that Kokoraleis will remain at the facility until a "solution" is found that will ease the community's mind while still allowing Kokoraleis to "continue receiving the help he is seeking."

Kokoraleis was released in March after a 35-year sentence in prison for the 1982 rape and murder of 21-year-old Lorry Borowski. After initial reports that he would live in Wheaton, Kokoraleis moved into Wayside Cross Ministries at 215 E. New York St.

When news broke that Kokoraleis would be living in downtown Aurora at Wayside Cross Ministries, Mayor Richard Irvin said he was "blind-sided" and asked Wayside Cross to reconsider. Shortly after, Dr. Matt Harrington led a group of community members in a protest against Kokoraleis's stay at Wayside Cross.

Lukose wrote that Wayside Cross Ministries (WCM) has been working to balance its mission to "serve the afflicted and powerless through forgiveness, commitment, and compassion" and its desire to "remain a valued civic institution." To that end, Lukose wrote, "WCM’s work would not be impossible without the support of the city and community leaders, but it would be much more difficult."

Lukose continued to say, "When it comes to making Aurora a safer place to live, WCM is a part of the solution and has been for decades." He mentioned the long relationship WCM has had with the Aurora Police Department, local pastors, "thousands of our faithful donors and hundreds of committed volunteers."

Wayside Cross officials acknowledged that they are "sensitive to" concerns about their decision to house Kokoraleis. "However, if we were to reject people on the basis of their background, or

because their histories are high-profile, we would be violating our mission as a Christ-centered recovery ministry of life-transformation through our Lord Jesus Christ," Lukose added.

In his letter, Lukose said Wayside Cross Ministries plans to keep up an open dialogue with Aurora residents and city officials as it works to find "a solution that will ease the concerns of the community and allow Thomas to continue receiving the help he is seeking."

Read more:

Where Is Freed Ripper Crew Killer Thomas Kokoraleis Living?

Kokoraleis Asks To Be Left Alone, Vows Not To Be Threat: Report

Aurora Mayor Pleads With Wayside Cross Not To Take In Kokoraleis

Kokoraleis Protest: Calls To 'Burn Him,' Calls For Action

Wayside Cross Needs 'More Time' To Address Kokoraleis Concerns