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Reward offered in cold case in hopes of solving murder mystery
A somber anniversary of a 44-year-old cold case in Chicagos suburbs has loved ones hoping for new information to crack the case.
MORTON GROVE, Ill. - A somber anniversary of a 44-year-old cold case in Chicago's suburbs has loved ones hoping for new information to crack the case.
Two 17-year-old girls were found murdered in a suburban forest preserve in 1979. Now, a $10,000 reward is being offered to draw attention to the case in an effort to bring whoever is responsible to justice.
"There's always hope. I've never gave up. There's always hope," said Sharon Peterson, Eyvonne Bender’s sister.
The two girls, 17-year-olds Susan Ovington and Bender, both went to Niles West High School. On September 5, 1979, they went out shopping but their bodies were found that same day in the woods at a Cook County Forest Preserve. Both had been shot and killed.
Morton Grove police investigated along with other agencies. They followed up on leads, but never found the killer or killers.
"We even had a psychic go out there to see if she can come up with everything," said Peterson.
Now, a classmate of the girls is funding the majority of a $10,000 reward hoping it leads to justice.
"You know, I want closure. I want closure for my mom and dad and myself, but mostly for my mom and dad being the age that they are. It hurts to watch them go through that pain every, you know, all the time. But I would really love that. I really would for them," said Peterson.
If you have any information about the case, you can leave a tip anonymously at:
- (847) 663-3815 to speak directly to a detective
- (847) 663-3828 for the tips hotline
- Email: tipshotline@mortongroveil.org
- Email: Tips@cookcountycrimestoppers.org