Release Delayed For Ripper Crew Member Who Killed Elmhurst Woman

ELMHURST, IL — A man convicted of the brutal murder of an Elmhurst woman in the 1982 has had his release from prison delayed. Thomas Kokoraleis, 57, was supposed to be released from prison on Sept. 29, after serving half of his 70-year prison sentence.

The Tribune reported that Kokoraleis' release has been delayed because he doesn't have an approved place to live. State officials told the Tribune that he will remain in prison until he finds an approved place.

Kokoraleis' oldest brother, Greg, told the Tribune he didn't know Thomas' plans, but he won't be living with them or anyone else in the family.

Kokoraleis was a member of the Chicago Ripper Crew, a group believed to have murdered 18 women during the 1980s. Kokoraleis was found guilty of murdering Lorry Ann Borowski, a 21-year-old Elmhurst woman, who was abducted on May 15, 1982 outside of an Elmhurst real estate office where she worked. Her remains were found five months later in a cemetery in Clarendon Hills. She was raped and stabbed more than 80 times.

Patch reported earlier this month when Borowski's family and famed attorney Gloria Allred fought to keep Kokoraleis from being released for parole. According to the Illinois Department of Corrections website, Kokoraleis is at Illinois River Correctional Facility in Canton and was admitted there on Sept. 13, 1984. According to police, under Illinois sentencing laws at the time of the murder, Kokoraleis is only required to serve half of the sentence, or 35 years.

The Elmhurst Police Department have noted their opposition to the Kokoraleis' release.

"Unfortunately, there are no petitions which can change this mandatory release," the Elmhurst Police Department said in a statement earlier this month. Police Chief Michael Ruth believes that Kokoraleis presents a danger to the community if he is allowed to roam free.

The other members of the Ripper Crew were Robin Gecht, Edward Spreitzer and Andrew Kokoraleis, Thomas' older brother. Andrew Kokoraleis was executed by lethal injection in 1999, but Spreitzer and Gecht remain in prison. According to the IDOC, Gecht, now 63, was sentenced to 120 years and has a projected parole date of 2042. Spreitzer was initially sentenced to death, but that sentence was commuted to life in prison in 2003. He is ineligible for parole.

Patch reached out to DuPage County State's Attorney Office, who did not have a comment on Kokoraleis' delayed release.

Photo via Illinois Department of Corrections.