Sheriff 'Very Confident' Police Have Killer Of Indian Head Park Girl
UPDATED 11/03/11 4:15 p.m.
INDIAN HEAD PARK, Ill. (CBS) -- Police signaled Thursday night they have in custody the person responsible for last week's stabbing death of a 14-year-old girl in Indian Head Park.
Kelli O'Laughlin was found dead by her mother Oct. 27 after the teen apparently surprised a burglar at the family home.
On Thursday, police confirmed reports that they were questioning a "person of interest" in the murder. By evening, Indian Head Park Police Chief Frank Alonzo indicated charges are near.
"As far as this crime is concerned, I think we can all rest a little easier tonight," Alonzo said at an evening news conference with Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart.
Dart said he's "very confident" about the individual in custody but added prosecutors are reviewing the case and will determine whether to bring criminal charges.
The man is reportedly an ex-convict from Chicago, in his mid-thirties, and was brought in Wednesday for questioning.
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Earlier in the week, police asked the public's help in finding Kelli's killer while also announcing the reward has increased to $60,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of her killer.
LaGrange Police Chief Michael Holub told CBS 2 that police have been monitoring Kelli's Facebook page, because of activity that occurred on her page after her death.
The Lyons Township High School freshman had just returned home from school when she was found stabbed to death on Oct. 27.
A second day of visitation for Kelli was being held at a funeral home in Countryside on Thursday. Her funeral is Friday, followed by a private burial.
