2 Bodies Found In Cars During Same Week In Beverly

CHICAGO, IL - Beverly residents are on alert after two bodies were found in cars parked in the neighborhood in a week's span. Chicago police detectives are investigating the deaths of 37-year-old Aaron Wiley and 50-year-old Preston Griggs as homicides.

Wiley, a ride-share driver from Calumet City, was reported missing a few days before his body was found in the trunk of a car parked at 97th and Charles on Sept. 18. Just days later on Sept. 24 Griggs, a 50-year-old from the city's Marquette Park neighborhood, was found dead in the back seat of a green BMW parked near 105th and Walden Parkway.

Both victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the head, autopsy results have confirmed.

"Police are trying to determine if there is a relationship" between the two crimes, 19th Ward Ald. Matt O'Shea said. It is not believed as of the latest update he has received from police that either victim had a connection to the Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood, he added.

Since becoming alderman in 2011, O'Shea said before last week he had never been called to a crime scene where a dead body was found in a car.

"And now, two in one week," he said. "It's extremely upsetting, and frustrating, that two people were murdered, left for dead and found in our community. This is a place where this rarely, if ever, happens."

"We've had homicides, mostly domestic-related, and a share of suicides - but to be there 12 feet away from a dead body was something I've never had to experience."

Neither of the recent shootings appear to be gang-related or involving drugs as the victims did not have any apparent criminal history.

"By all accounts neither victim was involved in any criminal activity," said O'Shea, who was at the scene during the initial police response to both crimes. "It appears they were two hard-working men taking on a very risky job."

For hours at the crime scenes, O'Shea said he talked to residents of Charles Street and Walden Parkway "assuring them they live in a safe community."

"We also passed out flyers asking anyone who saw or heard anything to call me," he said. "I'm hopeful the Chicago Police Department will be forth-coming with positive news as there are a lot of detectives working both cases."

"They are hopeful that through talking to (the victims') friends and family, they may be able to identify who they last spoke with and what may have gone on."

In an e-mail blast sent to ward residents Friday afternoon, O'Shea reminded residents to call 911 to report suspicious behavior.

"By working together with the Chicago Police Department, we can help keep our community a safe place to raise a family."

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