Categories: Chicago

Naperville Police Arrest Suspect in 1972 Murder

On Wednesday, June 2, 2021, the Naperville Police Department arrested Barry Lee Whelpley, 76, of Mounds View, Minnesota for the 1972 murder of 15-year-old Naperville resident Julie Ann Hanson.

Julie Ann Hanson was reported missing on July 8, 1972. Her body was discovered later that same day in a field in Naperville near 87th Street and Modaff Road. She had been stabbed multiple times.

No suspect was immediately identified, and Naperville Police Detectives have continued to investigate the murder over the last 49 years. The breakthrough in this case came through technological advancements in DNA and genetic genealogy analysis.

Whelpley, who was 27 at the time of Julie Ann Hanson’s murder, is a former resident of Naperville and lived within a mile of the Hanson residence. He was taken into custody in Minnesota, where he is awaiting extradition to Illinois. He has been charged by the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office with three (3) counts of First-Degree Murder. His bond was set at $10,000,000.

“This horrific crime has haunted this family, this community and this department for 49 years,” said Naperville Police Chief Robert Marshall. “The investigation and resulting charges were truly a team effort that spanned decades, and I could not be more proud of the determination and resourcefulness of our investigators, both past and present, who never gave up on Julie.”

If anyone has additional information regarding this investigation, they are encouraged to contact the Naperville Police Department at (630) 420-6665 and ask for the Investigations Division.

The Naperville Police wish to remind the public and the news media that a charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Original

Shawn Genzone

Senior writer at the Chicago Morning Star

Recent Posts

Senate Democrats mock Biden for selling weapons to Israel

Some of President Biden's strongest Senate allies are calling on Israelis to end months of fierce fighting and criticizing the…

10 months ago

The biggest cities in Ukraine are struck by Russian missiles, leaving at least 4 dead and over 100 injured

Ukraine's KYIV — At least four people were killed and nearly 100 injured when Russian hypersonic ballistic missiles attacked Ukraine's…

10 months ago

Good News That’s Much Needed for Biden

The economy is making Americans feel a little more upbeat, especially when it comes to jobs and incomes, which could…

11 months ago

College Ventilation System Reveals Missing Man

The discovery of a decaying body inside a college ventilation system marked the tragic and unexplained end to a missing…

11 months ago

Following three Palestinian shots, a Vermont man was arrested

Following the shooting deaths of three 20-year-old Palestinian-American students in Vermont, authorities have detained a man. According to a news…

11 months ago

China is told to cease “COVID deception” due to the pneumonia outbreak by the US envoy

The United States ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, urged Chinese authorities "to abandon COVID deception" and demanded that China be…

12 months ago

This website uses cookies.