$11K reward offered in Sycamore double homicide

SYCAMORE, Ill. (WLS) -- An $11,000 reward has been offered for information after an 85-year-old woman and her 64-year-old son were found beaten to death in rural Sycamore in DeKalb County earlier this week.

A family member discovered the bodies of Patricia Wilson and her son, Robert Wilson, the elderly woman's home on Old State Road just before 6 p.m. Monday. Neighbors said Robert, known as "Smiley" due to his sunny disposition, was staying at the property to care for his mother. Twenty-eight years ago Wilson won $1 million in the Illinois Lottery. Neighbors said you never would have known it.

Investigators said they died of blunt force trauma and it appeared they'd been beaten to death with a blunt object. Police also said there was evidence to suggest the killer forced his or her way into the house.

Police are still seeking information on Patricia Wilson's car, a white, four-door 2010 Chevy Impala with Illinois license plate number 9030980, which was taken from the scene at or at about the time of the crime.

On Friday, the DeKalb County Crime Stoppers, with the help of a private donation, offered an $11,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the deaths.

The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office said a team of 20 investigators have been following up on about 300 leads.

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers at 815-895-3272 or email Crime Stoppers at crimestoppers@dekalbcounty.org. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous.

In addition, people with information can contact the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office at 815-895-2155.