Nearly two decades after the Feb. 2, 2008 shooting at a Lane Bryant store in Tinley Park, Illinois, five employees remain dead and a sixth survivor has not been publicly identified. A new documentary, "The Tinley Park 5," directed by Charlie Minn, premieres Feb. 13 to renew public attention and prompt tips. The surviving employee provided a description, and the suspect’s voice is reportedly captured on a 911 recording. A $100,000 reward is still available and investigators say the case remains active.
New Documentary Reignites Search In 2008 Tinley Park Lane Bryant Killings — $100,000 Reward Still Active
Photos of Tinley Park victims inside local police stationZbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty
Eighteen years after a brutal attack at a Lane Bryant store in Tinley Park, Illinois, family members, investigators and a new documentary are seeking to revive attention to an unsolved case that left five women dead and a sixth injured.
On Feb. 2, 2008, an assailant who posed as a delivery driver entered the Lane Bryant location and bound six women inside the store. Five employees — Rhoda McFarland, 42; Connie Woolfolk, 37; Jennifer Bishop, 34; Carrie Chiuso, 33; and Sarah Szafranski, 22 — were shot in the back and later died of their injuries. A sixth woman, a part-time employee, survived but has not been publicly identified by police.
Authorities have said that one of the victims was sexually assaulted, though officials have not disclosed the identity of that victim. The surviving employee provided descriptions of the attacker to investigators, and the suspect’s voice is reportedly audible on a recorded 911 call about the incident.
Documentary Aims To Generate New Leads
Former America’s Most Wanted producer Charlie Minn directed a new film titled "The Tinley Park 5." The documentary is scheduled to premiere Feb. 13 at several local theaters in the Chicago area. Minn has said the film was made to stimulate public discussion and encourage anyone with information to come forward.
Composite image of suspect in 2008 Tinley Park Lane Bryant murdersTinley Park Police Department
“The whole point is to stir up enough attention, raise enough awareness, to solve the case,” Minn told WBEZ Chicago. “This case has faded, people are busy, they move on. I hope people see this and become as angry as I am about what happened.”
Family Perspective
Relatives of the victims have welcomed renewed attention. Mike Hudek, brother of Carrie Chiuso, told CBS News Chicago that while his family continues to grieve, they are determined to find answers.
“This individual is not going to be caught until somebody speaks up or identifies who he is. I mean, he’s somebody’s son, grandson, nephew... somebody’s aware of who this individual is,” Hudek said. He added that the family tries to remember Carrie for her life rather than the way she died.
Investigation Remains Active
Tinley Park police say the investigation has never stopped. Police Chief Tom Tilton told ABC7 Chicago that detectives continue to evaluate leads, review evidence and apply evolving forensic tools in hopes of advancing the case.
“This investigation has never stopped. Our detectives and partners continue to evaluate leads, review evidence and apply available investigative and forensic tools as they evolve. This work occurs every day,” Tilton said.
A $100,000 reward remains available for information that leads to an arrest. Authorities encourage anyone with tips to contact the Tinley Park Police Department or submit anonymous information through local tip lines.
Reporting summarized from People, WBEZ Chicago, CBS News Chicago and ABC7 Chicago.
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