Chester Weger's DNA Results Finally Revealed After Nearly 60 Years
The Mystery of the Starved Rock Murders Finally Solved
Nearly sixty years after the heinous crime at Starved Rock, the mystery of the Starved Rock murders has finally been solved. In 1960, three women were found brutally murdered at the Illinois State Park, and the killer was never caught. Now, the Illinois State Police have announced that Chester Weger, who was convicted of the murders in 1961, is officially the killer.
The breakthrough came after a cold case review, which uncovered new evidence that linked Weger to the crime. DNA testing was conducted on the evidence, which ultimately revealed that Weger was the killer. Weger, now 77, has been serving a life sentence for the murders since 1961.
The Starved Rock Murders
On Valentine’s Day in 1960, Lillian Oetting, Frances Murphy, and Mildred Lindquist were found dead at Starved Rock. The women had all been beaten to death and their bodies had been dumped in the park. Despite an extensive investigation, the killer was never identified.
The case went cold for nearly sixty years until new evidence was discovered, prompting a cold case review. The review uncovered a number of pieces of evidence that implicated Weger, including a bloody palm print from the crime scene that matched Weger’s.
The DNA Testing
In order to definitively link Weger to the murders, DNA testing was conducted on the evidence. The testing revealed that Weger’s DNA was present on the evidence, confirming that he was the killer.
The results of the testing were released to the public on April 10, 2023, officially closing the case and confirming Weger as the killer. Weger, now 77, has been serving a life sentence since 1961 and is not eligible for parole.
The Aftermath
The cold case review and DNA testing have finally brought closure to the Starved Rock murders. The families of the victims have been able to finally have some closure, knowing that the killer has been brought to justice.
Weger, meanwhile, is not eligible for parole and will remain in prison for the rest of his life. His conviction has been upheld, and he is officially the killer of the Starved Rock murders.