The Crime

On a frigid Saturday morning, February 2, 2008, a heinous crime shattered the peace at a Lane Bryant clothing store in the Brookside Marketplace in Tinley Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Five women were tragically murdered, and a sixth was injured during a violent armed robbery. The victims were:

• Rhoda McFarland, 42, the store manager
• Connie Woolfolk, 37
• Sarah Szafranski, 22
• Carrie Hudek Chiuso, 33
• Jennifer Bishop, 34  

The surviving victim, a part-time employee, was shot in the neck but miraculously survived by feigning death until the police arrived. Tragically, at least one of the victims was also sexually assaulted by the perpetrator, adding to the brutality of the crime.

The gunman, who entered the store at 10:08 a.m. posing as a delivery person, quickly revealed his true intentions. He brandished a gun and took the store manager, the part-time employee, and four customers hostage. The six women were then forced into a small employee break room at the back of the store. The gunman ordered them to empty their purses and then bound their wrists and feet with duct tape he had brought with him. He then covered their heads with underwear from the store and forced them to lie face down on the floor. After briefly groping the part-time employee, he left the room to confront two other female customers who had just entered the store. These two women were also forced into the break room, bringing the total number of hostages to six.

The gunman, growing increasingly aggressive, swore and shouted at the women. He then shot them execution-style, killing five of them instantly. The part-time employee, however, had shifted her head just before the gunman pulled the trigger, and the bullet struck her in the neck, narrowly missing any vital areas. She played dead until the police arrived, becoming the sole survivor of the horrific ordeal.

Surveillance footage captured two vehicles outside the store, a dark-colored SUV and a smaller sedan, both leaving moments after the murders. The gunman was described as a husky, medium to dark-complexioned black man, approximately 6ft – 6ft two inches tall, with a receding hairline and braided hair with three to five puffy corn rolls pulled toward the back of his head.  

The Investigation

The Tinley Park Police Department and the South Suburban Major Crime Task Force immediately launched an extensive investigation into the murders. They released a composite sketch of the suspect on February 11, 2008, receiving two dozen leads in the first 24 hours.  

In the years since the crime, officers have followed up on more than 7,500 tips and continue to receive new information.

In 2018, Michigan State Police created a 3D version of the original sketch made in 2008 from an eyewitness account to provide a more life-like representation of the suspect. This new development has helped to generate new leads and tips in the case. Additionally, in 2022, two new officers were assigned to the case to review the evidence and follow up on leads, bringing a fresh perspective to the investigation.

Despite these efforts, the gunman has never been identified. The case remains unsolved, leaving the families of the victims and the community without closure.

Challenges in the Investigation

The investigation into the Lane Bryant murders has faced several challenges. One of the biggest challenges has been the lack of physical evidence. The gunman left behind very little evidence at the crime scene, making it difficult for investigators to identify him.

While there were no witnesses to the actual shooting, several customers and employees witnessed the gunman in the store before the murders.

Another challenge has been the passage of time. As the years have passed, it has become increasingly difficult for investigators to find new leads and witnesses. Additionally, the memories of those who were involved in the investigation have faded, making it difficult to recall important details.

New Developments and Theories

Despite the challenges, there have been some new developments in the Lane Bryant murders investigation. In 2018, Michigan State Police created a 3D version of the original sketch made in 2008 from an eyewitness account to provide a more life-like representation of the suspect. This new development has helped to generate new leads and tips in the case. Additionally, in 2022, two new officers were assigned to the case to review the evidence and follow up on leads, bringing a fresh perspective to the investigation.

There have also been some new theories about the murders. One theory is that the gunman may have had accomplices.  

This theory is based on the surveillance footage of two vehicles, a dark-colored SUV and a smaller sedan, leaving the scene of the crime shortly after the murders. The simultaneous arrival and departure of these vehicles suggest that the gunman may have had assistance in carrying out the robbery and escaping the scene.

Another theory is that the gunman may have been an FTM (female-to-male) transgender person. This theory is based on the gunman’s description as having a husky build and broad shoulders, which are typically associated with male bodies. However, it’s important to note that this theory is speculative and based on limited information.

Impact on the Victims’ Families and the Community

The Lane Bryant murders have had a devastating impact on the families of the victims and the community. The families of the victims have been left without closure, and the community has been left with a sense of fear and insecurity. The murders have also had a significant economic impact on the community. The Lane Bryant store where the murders occurred has since closed its doors, and the surrounding businesses have seen a decline in customers.

Call to Action

The Lane Bryant murders remain unsolved, but there is still hope that the perpetrators will be brought to justice. The families of the victims deserve closure, and the community deserves justice. Please come forward with any information you may have about the Lane Bryant murders. Together, we can help to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent this from happening again.

Imagine the unimaginable pain and suffering the families of Rhoda McFarland, Connie Woolfolk, Sarah Szafranski, Carrie Hudek Chiuso, and Jennifer Bishop have endured. They lost their loved ones in a senseless act of violence, and they have been left with unanswered questions and a void that can never be filled. The community of Tinley Park has also been deeply affected by this tragedy. The fear and insecurity that gripped the community in the aftermath of the murders still linger, a constant reminder of the evil that exists in the world.

If you have any information about the crime, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, please call the Tip hotline at (708) 444-5394 or email LaneBryant.Tipline@TinleyPark.org. There is still a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspected shooter, and the reward is not dependent on a conviction.

You can also help by sharing information about the case on social media, attending community events to raise awareness, or donating to organizations that support victims of crime. Every action, no matter how small, can make a difference in bringing justice for the victims and their families.

Let’s not allow the memory of Rhoda, Connie, Sarah, Carrie, and Jennifer to fade. Let’s keep their story alive and continue to fight for justice. Together, we can make a difference.

Sources

This report from CBS earlier this year has some updated info.