North Aurora woman's 1979 murder solved, linked to serial killer Bruce Lindahl
NORTH AURORA, Ill. (WLS) -- Authorities confirmed this week that DNA testing solved a 45-year-old cold case in Kane County.
The Kane County State's Attorney, along with the mayor of North Aurora, the police chief and others, shared new details connecting long-dead serial killer Bruce Lindahl to a 1979 cold case murder Wednesday.
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Authorities say DNA proves Lindahl killed North Aurora's Kathy Halle.
Halle was the picture of youth in the late 70s, with bright eyes under glasses, overalls and feathered hair.
She disappeared from her apartment complex, and her body was later discovered in the Fox River.
In 2020, DNA linked Lindahl to the murder of Pamela Maurer of Woodridge in 1976.
Investigators said it was that breakthrough that opened the door in North Aurora.
In 2022, authorities found evidence that Lindahl frequented the Northgate Shopping Center, which is where Halle worked.
After learning about the M-Vac System DNA technology, investigators worked to get Halle's case reopened and eventually solved.
In January 2023, officials worked with DNA Labs International out of Florida and the Cook County State's Attorney's office to get the best piece of evidence that would likely get a result.
"Techniques that were once unimaginable are now possible, allowing us to uncover new evidence and bring closure to families that have wanted justice for far too long," North Aurora Police Chief Joseph DeLeo said.
Thanks to a grant by non-profit Season of Justice, the DNA testing was paid for.
In August of 2024, the lab confirmed that Lindahl's DNA was present on Halle's clothes.
Investigators concluded that the victim was kidnapped from her apartment complex, and Lindahl killed her.
SEE ALSO | Bruce Lindahl victim Annette Lazar describes surviving attack by suspected serial killer, rapist
"All my mentors coming up the ranks worked on this case, and then I got to be the one to type 'case closed,'" North Aurora Police Detective Ryan Peat said.
Lindahl may be responsible for as many as 12 murders and nine rapes in the western suburbs in the 70s and early 80s.
Lindahl died in the early 1980s, when he accidentally killed himself while stabbing a man in Naperville.
"We would have authorized first-degree murder charges against Bruce Lindahl, and we would have proceeded to trial," Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Mosser said.
Family in North Aurora spoke through a liaison officer.
"While revisiting this case has been incredibly difficult for our family, we are deeply grateful to finally have closure after 45 long years," North Aurora Police Deputy Chief Joe Gorski said.
Back in 2020, one of Lindahl's victims who said she survived his attack, Annette Lazar, spoke with ABC7 Chicago.
She described his brutality as he raped her.
"That's when he put a 9mm to my head, grabbed me by my throat. He bruised my throat. I had marks on my body from him," Lazar said.
North Aurora police and family present were grateful to finally turn the page Wednesday, but warn there may be more victims out there.
