Illinois Archives

76-Year-Old Man Presumed Dead After Dramatic House Explosion in Crestwood, Illinois

Crestwood, Illinois, was shaken by a powerful explosion on Tuesday morning that has left a local family bracing for devastating news. Authorities believe a 76-year-old man, who lived in the home where the incident occurred, may have perished in the blast that leveled the structure. Witnesses in the area reported a series of loud booms that rattled windows and prompted immediate concern. Many described the explosion as unlike anything they had ever heard, leading several …

Illinois Tragedy, California Girl Stabbed

CARBONDALE, IL – A grieving father is struggling to comprehend the tragic loss of his daughter, who was reportedly killed in a stabbing incident. Cadence Eileen Prince, a 17-year-old California native, was found dead in a parking lot near a trailhead in southern Illinois on Sunday night. Her 18-year-old boyfriend, Julian Holloway, has been taken into custody in connection with her death. Cadence’s father, John Prince, described his daughter as a trusting and sweet young …

Tragic Attack: Illinois Man Charged in Washington, D.C. Shooting of Israeli Diplomats Outside Jewish Museum

Washington, D.C. — A 30-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the shooting deaths of two Israeli Embassy employees outside the Capital Jewish Museum. Authorities identified the suspect as Elias Rodriguez of Chicago. The shooting occurred Wednesday night as the victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were departing the museum, apparently moments away from an engagement. Eyewitness accounts indicate that Rodriguez was seen pacing near the museum before he approached the couple and …

Four students dead after car plows through after-school center

CHATHAM, IL – A devastating car crash at the Why Not After School Camp in Chatham has left a community reeling. On Monday, Marianne Acres drove her vehicle into the camp, killing four students and injuring several others. This tragedy has struck the small town south of Springfield with profound sorrow. Alma, a 7-year-old who loved sports, and Ainslie, an 8-year-old known for her vibrant personality, were among the children who lost their lives. Their …

Illinois Man Charged After Alleged Hate Crime Assault on Jewish Students at DePaul University

Chicago, IL — An Illinois man has been arrested and charged with a hate crime after allegedly attacking two Jewish students on the campus of DePaul University last November. Adam Erkan, 20, faces multiple felony charges, including two counts each of a hate crime and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, officials said. The incident, which took place on November 6, involved Erkan allegedly confronting the students, Max Long and Michael Kaminsky, amid their peaceful …

Heroic Rescue Effort: Police Dash to Save Firefighter Buried in Debris Following Illinois Home Explosion

Belleville, IL – An intensive rescue operation unfolded in a suburban Illinois neighborhood where a firefighter was trapped beneath debris following a house explosion. The incident, which occurred early Wednesday morning, prompted a rapid response from local emergency services. The explosion, which severely damaged the residential building, is believed to have been triggered by a gas leak, though authorities have stated that investigations are still ongoing to confirm the cause. The force of the blast …

Heroic Rescue Caught on Camera: First Responders Save One of Their Own from Rubble After Illinois Home Explosion

Christopher, Illinois – A firefighter in Christopher was rescued after becoming pinned beneath debris when a house exploded on the morning of April 3. The incident, which was recorded on a bodycam by a member of the Christopher Police Department, showcased the rapid response and teamwork of first responders at the scene. Upon the report of the explosion, emergency personnel from various agencies converged on the site. Dramatic bodycam footage revealed the intense moments as …

CEO of Trucking Firm Fatally Shot, Employee Faces First-Degree Murder Charge in Illinois Suburb

Crestwood, IL – In a shocking incident that has resonated throughout the local community, authorities have charged a man with first-degree murder in the killing of a trucking company president and CEO. The violent act occurred in the normally tranquil southwest suburb of Crestwood, taking residents and employees by surprise. Joel Maldonado, 34, has been accused of the heinous crime which resulted in the death of 52-year-old Scott Simmonds, the victim who led a significant …

Illinois Landlord Convicted in Murder and Hate Crime Case Against Palestinian American Teen

Chicago – An Illinois court has concluded a high-profile case by convicting a landlord of both murder and a hate crime, following his lethal attack on a Palestinian American teenager in 2023. This verdict underscores a growing concern over racially motivated violence and has sparked conversations about hate crimes and tenant safety nationwide. The convicted, Steven Jenkins, 56, was found guilty in the death of 17-year-old Tarek Ziad, who resided in one of Jenkins’ rental …

Family of four found dead in home

In LAKE STATION, IN, a heart-wrenching tragedy has shaken a quiet Indiana neighborhood. A mother, Brianna Payne, and her three young daughters were discovered dead in their home, victims of a shooting. The police, responding to a wellness check, found the mother and her daughters, Aurora, Ava, and Alana, lifeless. The community, nestled in the Mansard Du Lac area, is in disbelief. Neighbors, who never anticipated such violence, are grappling with the shocking reality. “This …