Thomas Kokoraleis, reputed 'Ripper Crew' member, registers as sex offender in Aurora

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Thomas Kokoraleis, reputed 'Ripper Crew' member, registers to live in Aurora

Police say a man convicted of murder and suspected of belonging to a notorious gang that killed as many as 20 Chicago-area women in the 1980s has registered as a sex offender in so

AURORA, Ill. (WLS) -- Police say a man convicted of murder and suspected of belonging to a notorious gang that killed as many as 20 Chicago-area women in the 1980s has registered as a sex offender in southwest suburban Aurora.

Thomas Kokoraleis was released from prison Friday. Aurora Police Sgt. Bill Rowley says the 58-year-old walked into the department Sunday and registered to live at Aurora-based Wayside Cross Ministries, which is located at 215 E. New York Street.

The Illinois Sex Offender Information registry lists Kokoraleis as living in Wheaton. Rowley said the registry should update with Kokoraleis' new address sometime on Monday.

"We have to know where he is at all times and he has to come in quarterly and register to reaffirm his registration every change he makes," Rowley said.

Kokoraleis was among four men accused of being part of the "Ripper Crew" satanic cult. He was initially sentenced to life in prison for the 1982 slaying of 21-year-old Elmhurst resident Lorraine "Lorry" Ann Borowski.

Prosecutors allowed him to plead guilty on appeal in a deal that infuriated victims' relatives but allowed for his release last week.

Choosing Aurora as his new home is disturbing to some residents, especially women.

"It's not something I want to be around or see him or come in where I work or order food where I work," said Aurora resident Tonia Burns.

Kokorlais is beginning a seven month program at Wayside Cross Ministries. The over 90 year old Christian based organization is recovery facility.

Wayside Cross Ministries released a statement saying, "Wayside Cross Ministries (WCM) did not seek out Thomas Kokoraleis upon his release from prison. He came to us seeking our help. Ours being a Bible-based, Christ-centered ministry, we are mandated by our Lord Jesus Christ to love our neighbors. According to Luke chapter 16, anyone in a genuine need is a neighbor.

Almost 1/3 of the residents in our Master's Touch program come to us immediately after being released from one of the many correctional facilities in Illinois. Some are former sex offenders. We do not discriminate.

While participating in our Master's Touch program, many of our residents have experienced permanent spiritual transformation through the power of the gospel of Christ. The Bible clearly commands us to show kindness and mercy towards all, even our enemies, the ungrateful and the wicked. This is because God, Himself is kind and merciful to all (Luke 6:35-36). As a Bible-based, Christ-centered ministry, we are also required by Scripture to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).

For more than nine decades, WCM has been committed to empowering the afflicted and the powerless in collaboration with scores of local churches and hundreds of godly mentors.

Recognizing that God is the source of our competence (2Corinthians 3:5), we are called to help people like Thomas.

God's grace transcends any human depravity and wickedness. Therefore, we hope and pray that Thomas would one day return to society as a God honoring productive member, displaying the amazing transforming power of Christ.

We ask you to join us in this prayer."

"I know from personal experience they have a strict set of rules and strict enforcement of the rules," Rowley said.

Wayside Cross Ministries said that Kokoraleis cannot leave the facility for the first 30 days of the program.

"I don't know what he's going to do or how his life is going to go, but he should be miserable every day of his life," said Borowski's brother Mark.

WATCH: Borowski family speaks after Kokoraleis release

Lorry Ann Borowski's family reacts to 'Ripper Crew' killer's prison release (1 of 4)

'Ripper Crew' killer Thomas Kokoraleis to be released

A member of the so-called Ripper Crew, a satanic cult whose members sexually mutilated and killed women during the 1980s, is scheduled to walk out of prison.

Family of Ripper Crew victim fights against killer's release

Convicted murderer Thomas Kokoraleis could be free soon. He was a member of the infamous "Ripper Crew" that sexually mutilated and killed several women in the 1980's.

Satanic cult murder victim's family fights killer's prison release