Over the past fifty years over 150 murder cases have been investigated by the Winnebago
County Sheriff’s Department. Only 20 remain unsolved.
The below murder cases are open active investigations being conducted by the Winnebago
County Sheriff’s Department.
Contact Us With Information
By Phone
- Winneabago County Sheriff’s Police Detective Bureau (815-319-6400)
- Crime Stoppers (815-963-7867) or visit their website to download the mobile app http://www.rockfordcrimestoppers.com/
Email
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BEVERLEY GRITZMAKER APRIL 20,2014
On Sunday April 20, 2014 the body of 46yr old Beverly Gritzmaker was found in the Kishwaukee River, near the Kishwaukee Gorge Forest Preserve, 4643 Blackhawk Road.
An autopsy determined that Ms. Gritzmaker had sustained trauma to her upper body.
WILLIAM S. PRESLEY MARCH 24, 2013
Sunday March 24, 2013 William S. Presley, 47 years old was found shot to death in the garage of his
home at 1421 LaBelle Avenue in northwest Rockford.
There was no forced entry to the house.
Presley lived alone at the residence and operated a small business from the property.
BABY NOAH JULY 13, 2012
On Friday July 13, 2012 Winnebago County Sheriff’s Deputies were sent to One Source Recycle (Total
Waste), 13125 N. 2nd Street in reference to a deceased infant.
Upon arrival it was determined that a newborn infant male had been found dead on a conveyor belt line
by employees of the firm. The company employees immediately called 911 after finding the infant.
Garbage was recycled at the plant after having been brought there by multiple regional garbage
companies.
The Winnebago County Coroner’s office named the infant “Baby Noah”.
MICHAEL SCULLY DECEMBER 11, 2011
On December 11, 2011 at approximately 12:45 a.m. the body of Michael Scully, 61 was found in his
vehicle parked on the side of the road in the 7800 block of Clikeman Road in rural northwest Winnebago
County. Scully had been shot to death.
Scully had been the victim of two prior violent crimes.
On November 2, 2011 Scully was struck with a tire iron by two unknown suspects when he arrived home
from work.
On November 9, 2011 Scully was shot in the arm, also outside his home.
Scully lived in Machesney Park.
CONSTANCE HOUNSELL DECEMBER 27, 2008
Constance Hounsell was found murdered in her home at 6441 Alice Lane, Rockton, IL on December 27,
2008.
She was found in the basement of her home with a stab wound to the neck.
The home is in a rural area and there was no sign of forced entry. Mrs. Hounsell was a widow and lived
alone in the home.
Mrs. Hounsell was described by family members as a very likable person with a generous spirit.
MARCARIO AMAYA NOVEMBER 20, 2008
On November 20, 2008 the body of 52 year old Marcario Amaya was found stuffed into a large plastic
garbage bag in the parking lot of the Mi Casa Bar, 1103 S. Pierpont Avenue.
Amaya had been shot to death.
Amaya was known to frequent the El-Navagante Bar at 612 7th Street.
ALEXANDER DELGADO JULY 22, 2007
The body of 17 year old Alexander Delgado was found at West State and Garver Avenue at
approximately 12:51 a.m. on Sunday July 22, 2007. Delgado was shot to death.
Investigation determined that Alexander had left a friend’s house and was walking home and was just a
few blocks from home.
Alexander had attended East High School and was pursuing his GED.
An SUV type vehicle was seen fleeing the area.
SANDRA DANIELS JANUARY 7, 2007
On Sunday January 7, 2007 Winnebago County Sheriff’s Deputies were sent to Rawley Road, north of
Yale Bridge Road regarding skeletal remains found in the wooded area.
The remains were identified as being those of Sandra M. Daniels, 56 of Elm Grove Village,WI.
Mrs. Daniels had been reported missing by her husband June 8, 2000.
Information developed by Wisconsin authorities is that Mrs. Daniels had left of her own free will.
Mrs. Daniels vehicle was located on June 29, 2000 in Bellwood, IL.
LEANN TAYLOR DECEMBER 6, 2004
29 year old LeAnn Taylor was found deceased Monday December 6, 2004 off the side of the road on
Bypass 20 near Montague Road.
Ms. Taylor was a known prostitute who frequented the southeast side of Rockford.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department and the Illinois
State Police.
LOTTIE W. FLOWERS FEBRUARY 23, 2002
On February 23, 2002 Winnebago County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to 730 Newport for a
medical assist call.
Upon arrival they found the victim, Lottie Flowers, 71 years old in the living room of the home with
multiple stab wounds. Mrs. Flowers was transported to the hospital where she later died.
Mrs. Flowers was very active in her church and also delivered newspapers at Rockford Memorial
Hospital. She had been at the hospital earlier that morning.
Mrs. Flowers lived in the house with her husband, son and grandson. She was very well known and
loved by all who knew her.
DANIEL E. MYERS APRIL 29, 1998
32 year old Daniel Myers, a carpenter, was last seen with friends at Rocky’s Tap in Loves Park on April
29, 1998.
Daniel's body was found shortly after 10 a.m. on April 30, 1998 lying in the parking lot of Monticello
Liquor Store, 2001 Cunningham Street. He had been shot to death.
Daniel's pick-up truck was missing but was later found abandoned in the driveway of 411 Stanley Street.
No one has been arrested.
DAVID FRANKS DECEMBER 5, 1995
The body of David E. Franks, 36 was found at the dead end of 1300 Collingswood on December 5, 1995.
Franks had been shot multiple times and the investigation determined that he was encountered at
another location and battered and subsequently brought to the Collingswood location.
It is believed that Franks was killed as a result of a drug dispute.
CONNIE R. HEERDT JANUARY 15, 1991
Connie R. Heerdt of Rockford was found murdered on Tuesday January 15, 1991.
She was found at 10:44 a.m. in the parking lot behind Doyle’s Circle K Lounge, 3911 Sandy Hollow Road,
Rockford.
The Winnebago County Coroner concluded the cause of death to be asphyxia due to manual
strangulation.
An investigation by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department determined that Heerdt worked as a
prostitute in the area.
TAMMY L. TRACEY APRIL 15, 1988
21 year old Tammy L. Tracey was last seen in Searles Park in Rockford on May 27, 1987. She had gone to
the park to wax her car.
Her vehicle was found in the park the following day; however there was no sign of Tammy Tracey.
An intense investigation was initiated by the Rockford Police in an attempt to locate Tammy, without
success.
On April 15, 1988 the skeletal remains of a female were found in the Sugar River Forest Preserve in
northern Winnebago County. There were identified as Tammy Tracey. Ms. Tracey had been stabbed
and shot to death.
A Massive investigation involving the Rockford Police Department, Winnebago County Sheriff’s
Department and the Illinois State Police has so far been unsuccessful in solving the case.
CHERYL JEAN GRIFFIN OCTOBER 25, 1986
Cheryl Jean Griffin was found stabbed on Saturday October 25, 1986 at approximately 8 a.m. in the
Kishwaukee Gorge Forest Preserve, 4701 Blackhawk Road, Rockford, IL.
Griffin's body was found in a grassy area approximately 40 feet from the gated entrance of the forest
preserve. The cause of death was a stab wound.
An investigation into her death by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department determined Griffin
occasionally worked as a prostitute in the area.
ROBERT L. SIMMONS APRIL 8, 1982
The victim Robert L. Simmons, 31 was shot near the Preston Street Liquor Store, 3912 Preston Street on
April 8, 1982.
Simmons' father Robert Simmons had been involved in a confrontation at the liquor store with another
subject when shots were fired and his son was hit. He transported his son to his residence 801 Vista
Terrace where Sheriff’s Deputies and medical were called.
Investigation determined that the confrontation started inside the liquor store and that the shooting of
Robert Simmons Jr was a result of the initial dispute.
CLARENCE OWENS AND EVERETTE HAWLEY FEBRUARY 19, 1976
Clarence Owens, 65
Everette Hawley, 75
Last seen at a farm auction near Winnebago-Ogle County line on February 19, 1976.
An intense multi-agency investigation involved Stephenson County Sheriff’s Department, Illinois State
Police and The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department.
Bodies have not been found.
LORETTA LYONS JUNE 9, 1966
Loretta Lyons, 46 was found deceased inside of her home on Latham Road. on June 9, 1966.
Mrs. Lyons husband found her on the floor in a pool of blood when he arrived home.
There were signs of a struggle in the home; however there was no forced entry. Mrs. Lyons appeared to
have been beaten and strangled. It did not appear as though anything was missing from the home.
A witness had seen a red Ford Galaxy near the home.
OCTAVIO MARTINEZ AND ANN BERGMAN AUGUST 8, 1962
Octavio “Chico” Martinez, 32
Ann Emily Bergman, 18
August 8, 1962 Octavio Martinez and Ann Bergman had been at the Town Lounge 600 West State Street
and had won a dance contest. They left at approximately 12:55 a.m. and were walking to their car when
they were picked up by an unknown suspect or suspects.
Octavio Martinez was found shot to death on Beltline Road near Rockford Airport about 2 hours later.
Ann Bergman’s body was found six days later also shot to death in Ogle County.
DONALD BURTON AND JOSEPH GRECO MAY 2, 1959
On May 2, 1959 bodies of Donald Burton, 21 and Joseph Greco, 21 were found in the trunk of a vehicle
parked on the side of the road on Montague, ¼ mile east of Meridian.
Burton and Greco were known to frequent illegal gambling operations in the Northern Illinois area.
Both Burton and Greco were beaten to death and evidence of gambling paraphernalia was found in the
car.
