Pedestrian Killed By Train Lost Family In Oak Forest Tragedy

MOKENA, IL — A 23-year-old pedestrian who was struck and killed by a train on Thursday in Mokena has been identified as Kathryn Joost of Palos Heights. A friend confirmed via social media that Joost was the same woman whose father killed her mother and brother and then himself in Oak Forest in 2016.

Joost, who was 20 at the time, was away at college when the murder-suicide happened.

According to Metra spokesperson Meg Reile, Joost was standing on a platform at Hickory Creek Station around 4 p.m. Thursday, when she decided to cross over to another platform. However, the train that hit Joost was not scheduled to stop. It was an equipment move.

Reile said the incident does appear to be an accident and so far, it appears Joost thought the train was going to stop.

The Will County coroner's office said the final cause of death is pending an autopsy which will take place on Feb. 15.