Peoria Man Charged In 1994 Murder Of 71-Year Old Woman

PEORIA, IL — Charges have been filed against a Peoria man in connection with the cold case murder of Illa Venard, who police say was murdered in her west suburban Chicago apartment in 1994. Thomas Spear, 43, of the 1200 block of Melbourne Avenue has been charged with first-degree murder and other charges in connection with the death of Venard that allegedly occurred on July 31, 1994, Du Page County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Lisle Chief of Police Dave Anderson wrote in a joint statement Monday.

Du Page County Judge George Bakalis in court Monday set bail for Spear at $3 million. Police say Spear broke into Venard's apartment on Walnut Creek Lane in Lisle the day of the murder through a sliding glass door and grabbed the 71-year-old victim by her neck and forcibly pushed her down.

Spear is also accused of burglarizing the apartment and taking property belonging to Venard including her checkbook and personal identification. Police say that on multiple occasions Spear disguised himself as an elderly woman, forged Venard’s signature and cashed checks from her account. He was charged with forgery and issuing or delivering a forged document in connection with the case on Sept. 28 in Peoria.

Venard was found dead in her apartment five days after police say she was murdered. Authorities say the case went cold but was re-investigated this year by both the Lisle Police Department and the Du Page County State's Attorney's Office.

Berlin, in his statement Monday, praised Lisle police for their work on the case that spanned 23 years.

"They never gave up on justice for Illa and while much time has passed since her tragic death, it is because of their efforts that Mr. Spear is now faced with the possibility of spending the rest of his life behind bars," Berlin said.

Spear is scheduled to appear in court again for an arraignment on Nov. 6.

Photo via Du Page County State's Attorney's Office