New Information Released in Sycamore Double Homicide

SYCAMORE, IL - The search continues for the killer, or killers, who murdered an 85-year-old Sycamore woman and her 64-year-old son after forcing their way into their home last August. On Wednesday, authorities released more details into the investigation as they hope someone will come forward with information that will help them solve the crime. Among the key findings released was information on a complete DNA profile, which indicated DNA left at the scene shows the killer (or killers) was male.

The DNA profile has not yielded any direct leads to determine who killed Patricia Wilson, 85, and Robert Wilson, 65. The mother and son were found beaten to death inside Patricia’s home at 16058 Old State Road in rural Sycamore just before 6 p.m. on Aug. 15.

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DeKalb County Sheriff Roger Scott told CBS Chicago said the DNA of the killer, or killers, have not shown up in any criminal databases.

“They may have not gotten in trouble before or they may have and it is just slow getting it into the system, but it eventually will get into the system, we are hoping,” Scott said. “The other possibility is they may have been a juvenile.”

Police believe the killer, or killers, forced their way into the home before fleeing in Patricia’s Chevrolet Impala. The 2010 Chevrolet Impala was found during the early morning hours of Aug. 24 on North Stockton Avenue in the area of the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.

The car could have been there for several days, and there was no one inside.

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Authorities have not provided any information on whether there were items missing or stolen from the crime scene or a potential motive into the crime.

On Wednesday, the police said they had investigated over 1,100 leads during the course of the case so far. The "significant amount of physical evidence" left at the crime scene was sent to the Illinois State Crime Lab. As a result, the state crime lab analyzed that evidence and completed a DNA profile, according to authorities.

In addition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Behavioral Analysis Unit, which is based out of Quantico, Virginia, is assisting local authorities with their investigation. The FBI has analyzed the case and provided the following details regarding what type of person, or persons, could have killed the Wilsons:

• Investigators believe the perpetrator may have been in the Sycamore area for several days prior to the crime
• The perpetrator is familiar with the Sycamore area and may have ties to the community, such as a friend or relative, employment or obtaining some type of service available in the Sycamore area
• Based on the investigative information, the perpetrator may have been living a transient lifestyle
• The perpetrator likely relied on public transportation or obtaining a ride from someone to get to and around Sycamore
• It is possible the perpetrator utilized public services or assistance in Sycamore in the past
• It is possible that in the days leading up to the crime, the perpetrator attempted entry into other homes in the greater Sycamore area
• Through investigation, the perpetrator likely has similar ties to the Lincoln Park area of Chicago, possibly through the residence of a friend or family member, or similar use of public services there

Police said anyone familiar with the suspect and who saw him immediately after the homicides may have noticed him wearing different clothes that may not have fit him very well. He may have appeared to have been in some type of fight, police said.

And in the days following the crime, people around him may have noticed certain common post-offense behaviors, which include, suddenly departing the area, changes in mood or demeanor, changes in lifestyle patterns, increasing his use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol, or withdrawing from social contact with others. He also may have changed his appearances, such as hairstyle or facial hair. And he may have paid abnormal attention to the news coverage on this particular crime, police said.

The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office also released a more detailed timeline into the case on Wednesday, which details the final hours of Patricia and Robert Wilson. The timeline suggests the mother and son were called at some point after 7:43 p.m. on Aug. 14, which is when Patricia spoke with a relative on the phone.

• Timeline of Sycamore Double Homicide
  

At 12:44 a.m. on Aug. 15, the Wilsons' white Impala is recorded by a traffic camera traveling east on State Route 64 at Route 59 in West Chicago. The car is first documented on a CTA bus video parked on North Stockton on Aug. 15 at 11:58 a.m. The sheriff’s office received the call for a death investigation at 16058 Old State Road in Sycamore just before 6 p.m. on August 15.

Meanwhile, DeKalb County Crime Stoppers has increased the cash reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the killer or killers to $50,000.

"The community is encouraged to provide any information that they may have to help solve this crime for the family and the DeKalb County and Sycamore communities," according to Wednesday's news release.

Anyone with information can contact DeKalb County Crime Stoppers at 815-895- 3272 or e-mail Crime Stoppers at Crimestoppers@dekalbcounty.org.

“The Sheriff’s Office remains in regular contact with Patricia and Robert’s family to ensure that they are appropriately updated with the investigation. We continue to hold them in our thoughts and prayers and ask that you do the same," according to the news release.