Hinsdale Woman Likely Died From Blunt Force Trauma, Coroner Says
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A 51-year-old Hinsdale woman found dead in her home earlier this week likely died from multiple blunt force trauma, the DuPage County Coroner says.
Further studies were pending from the autopsy conducted Friday, officials said.
Officers found Andrea Urban dead in her home in the 700 block of Town Place around 3:30 p.m. Thursday. A family member had first found her body and called police to the bloody scene.
"We head the kids found her, the body. We don't know that that's true, but that's what we heard" neighbor Chris Vaughn said.
Police did not confirm it was Urban's children who found her, but did say it was a relative who first found the body and called 911.
Hinsdale Police Chief Kevin Simpson would not reveal how Urban was killed, when she died, or exactly where her body was found. He said doing so could compromise the case, but he said there is nothing to indicate the crime was a random act.
Urban, a mother of two children, was described as a kind and gentle woman who was battling leukemia and an advocate for medical marijuana. She also was a part-time actress.
According to court records, in 2015 there was an order of protection against a man. In 2007, she was granted a divorce.
She had plans to move to Michigan.
Peter Furey, who went to high school with Urban in the 1980s, said she also was "a wonderful, amazing singer."
Furey's son also attends classes with Urban's daughter.
"He didn't take it well," he said. "It's heartbreaking."
Police acknowledged a murder in the west suburban community is highly unusual. It has been so long since Hinsdale's last murder, Simpson could not remember when the last one was.
"We recognize the magnitude of something like this in Hinsdale. I'd have to check records to see how far back when we've had an incident like this, but we're not taking it lightly, obviously, and we will try to provide as much information as we can, as quickly as we can, but we're asking for the public's assistance," Simpson said.
Neighbors also were stunned.
"I've lived here for 20 years now, and I can't remember anything like this," Brian Stubbings said.
Vaughn also said he's never heard of a murder in Hinsdale before.
"It's really unthinkable. You know, we tell people we basically live in Mayberry here, so this is really disturbing for the whole community," he said.
At least 15 Major Crimes Task Force detectives were assisting Hinsdale police investigate the case.
Police were checking to see if there was any video that would help their investigation.
Urban's children have been placed in the care of relatives. Anyone with information about the homicide should call Hinsdale police at (630) 789-7070.
