1 Year Later, AJ's Memory Lives On

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — One year ago, authorities say 5-year-old AJ Freund died inside his Crystal Lake home. Days later, his father, Andrew Freund Sr., placed a 911 call reporting the boy missing.

“We have a missing child. We woke up this morning and he wasn’t there,” Freund told dispatchers on the morning of April 18, 2019. He and AJ’s mother, 36-year-old JoAnn Cunningham, said they last saw AJ at 9:30 p.m. the night before, when he went to bed.

From there, AJ quickly became the focus of a massive search effort.

Local authorities, joined by federal agents, canvassed neighborhoods, checked homes, and searched wooded areas. Residents joined in, walking through Crystal Lake neighborhoods, peering into yards, and searching playsets and window wells in hopes of finding the boy.

At first, investigators considered several possibilities: that AJ had wandered away, been abducted, or was the victim of foul play. Police went door to door. Helicopters flew overhead. K-9 units searched the area surrounding 94 Dole Ave., AJ’s home in a quiet residential neighborhood.

Days later, authorities confirmed AJ had been killed—murdered by his parents, investigators alleged—inside the home as punishment for soiled underwear, according to court documents.

The case shocked the Crystal Lake community and left a lasting impact.

“Almost all of us have children, so any reported incident where a child is a victim is certainly emotional even for police officers,” Crystal Lake Police Chief James Black told Patch. “Even though we are police officers, we have feelings.”

Black said investigators initially worked through three possible scenarios—death, abduction, or missing child—and coordinated closely with the FBI during the search.

“Everyone worked long days with little to no sleep,” he said. “All of the investigators and agents working this case were determined to find out what happened to AJ.”

On April 24, police brought Freund Sr. in for questioning. He later confessed, authorities said, and led investigators to AJ’s body, which was found wrapped in plastic and buried in a shallow grave near Woodstock.

The news of AJ’s death reverberated across the country. His face appeared in news reports nationwide, and thousands attended his public visitation on May 3, 2019, at Davenport Funeral Home in Crystal Lake. Officials estimated nearly 5,000 people paid their respects.

Inside the funeral home, floral arrangements, stuffed animals, and messages filled the space. Outside, mourners lined up around the block.

“Based on the names entered in the guest book for AJ on Friday, we estimated close to 5,000 people,” said Jennifer Valentine of Davenport Funeral Home. “It was heartwarming to see the outpour of support in such a heartbreaking situation.”

Blue ribbons were tied throughout Crystal Lake and McHenry County in AJ’s memory, many of which remained visible months later.

In the months that followed, additional details emerged about prior reports involving the family and repeated contact with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

Records show DCFS first became involved shortly after AJ’s birth in 2013. He was temporarily removed from his parents’ custody due to substance-related concerns and later returned after a period of services and supervision.

In 2018, DCFS received additional hotline reports involving allegations of neglect and environmental concerns inside the home. Some reports were later deemed unfounded, while others documented concerning conditions, including bruising, unsafe living conditions, and prior law enforcement involvement.

The final DCFS contact came on April 18, the same day AJ was reported missing.

Following AJ’s death, investigators documented severe neglect inside the home, including unsanitary conditions and evidence that AJ had allegedly been confined to a room. Police also reported mouse droppings and significant disrepair throughout the residence.

Freund Sr. and Cunningham were later charged with first-degree murder. Cunningham pleaded guilty and is expected to be sentenced in June. Freund Sr. remains scheduled for future court proceedings.

AJ’s death also prompted renewed scrutiny of DCFS practices and sparked proposed legislative changes, including measures aimed at improving coordination between child welfare agencies and law enforcement.

State Rep. Tom Weber and others introduced proposals informally referred to as “AJ’s Law,” aimed at strengthening reporting and investigation procedures in abuse and neglect cases.

Community advocacy also emerged in the aftermath. The group ROAR for AJ formed in McHenry County, holding rallies, writing to lawmakers, and continuing efforts to raise awareness about child welfare system failures.

“Let’s stand up together and ROAR for AJ,” the group’s mission statement reads. “We can’t save AJ, but maybe together we can help save other children.”