U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray requesting that the Federal Bureau of Investigation assume responsibility for processing the backlogged evidence related to the cases involving the 55 unsolved killings of women in the Chicagoland area.

“I am writing you today with a deep sense of urgency and frustration. As you may know, on May 14, 2019, the Chicago Tribune reported on the unsolved killings of 55 women in the Chicagoland area and the possible involvement of a serial killer. This is an issue that demands attention from all levels of law enforcement, so I am grateful for the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) participation in a task force with the Chicago Police Department to address this critical issue. It has become evident that part of the reason these crimes remain unsolved is due to the backlog in evidence processing by the Illinois State Police Forensic Science Laboratory System. As reported by WGN News, ‘Illinois is ranked the worst in the nation when it comes to solving homicides.’ Even more disturbing is the fact that in Chicago ‘752 murder cases are awaiting DNA analysis,’” Rush wrote.

Congressman Rush will hold a community alert meeting on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 6:00pm to address the ongoing concerns about a potential serial killer, calls for federal involvement to clear up the backlog of cases, and ensure that people in the Chicago metropolitan area are properly alerted to the murders taking place in their communities. Additional details regarding the meeting to follow. According to the Chicago Tribune at least 75 women have been strangled or smothered between 2001 and 2017. CBS 2 Investigator Pam Zekman has repeatedly raised concerns regarding the possibility of a serial killer on loose.

“It is apparent that the lack of resolution to these heinous crimes demands further involvement by the federal government, specifically the FBI,” said Rush.

The full text of the letter is below and available here.

May 17, 2019

The Honorable Christopher Wray

Director

Federal Bureau of Investigation

935 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Washington, DC 20535-0001

Dear Director Wray:

I am writing you today with a deep sense of urgency and frustration. As you may know, on May 14, 2019, the Chicago Tribune reported on the unsolved killings of 55 women in the Chicagoland area and the possible involvement of a serial killer. This is an issue that demands attention from all levels of law enforcement, so I am grateful for the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) participation in a task force with the Chicago Police Department to address this critical issue.

It has become evident that part of the reason these crimes remain unsolved is due to the backlog in evidence processing by the Illinois State Police Forensic Science Laboratory System. As reported by WGN News, “Illinois is ranked the worst in the nation when it comes to solving homicides.” Even more disturbing is the fact that in Chicago “752 murder cases are awaiting DNA analysis.”

It is apparent that the lack of resolution to these heinous crimes demands further involvement by the federal government, specifically the FBI. Therefore, I request that the FBI assume responsibility for processing the backlogged evidence related to the cases involving the murdered and missing women in the Chicago metropolitan area.

I understand that there are legal and procedural hurdles to this request, but I firmly believe that we cannot allow these barriers to perpetrate a delay that results in even one more woman going missing or being brutally murdered.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss it further with you or an appropriate member of your staff and would like to find a time that is agreeable to us both. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Bobby L. Rush

Member of Congress