Teen found dead 45 years ago identified as victim of serial killer Bruce Lindahl

NORTH AURORA, Ill. (TCN) -- Forty-five years after a 19-year-old’s body was found in a river, police announced they determined the woman was the victim of a notorious serial killer in the area.

On Wednesday, Oct. 23, the North Aurora Police Department shared their findings in a press conference and a news release. According to the department, on March 29, 1979, Kathy Halle left her house to pick up her sister at the Northgate Shopping Center, but she never made it. Halle was reported missing, and almost a month later, on April 24, 1979, police located her remains in the Fox River.

The investigation into Halle’s killing went cold for decades. In 2019, police in nearby Lisle, Illinois, used advanced DNA technology to link serial killer Bruce Lindahl to the death of a woman named Pam Maurer. North Aurora Police said detectives believed Lindahl could have been linked to other cold cases, including Halle’s. The North Aurora Police Department reopened Halle’s case in 2020 and sent evidence to DNA Labs International. Results came back showing "that DNA found on Kathy Halle’s clothing was 9.4 trillion times more likely to have originated from Lindahl."

Police said, "With this definitive evidence, and patterns from Lindahl’s known crimes, NAPD concluded that Lindahl was responsible for Halle’s murder."

Investigators believe Lindahl kidnapped Halle in her apartment parking lot and took her near Fox River.

WFLD-TV reports Lindahl died by suicide in 1981 while committing another killing in 1981.

Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser said in the press conference, "This case would have been charged in a court of law had Bruce Lindahl not died in 1981. His pattern of violence, combined with the DNA evidence we now have, leaves no doubt that he was responsible for Kathy’s tragic death. While we cannot prosecute Lindahl, the family now knows the truth, and justice — though delayed — has finally been served for Kathy."

Halle’s family released a statement, which North Aurora Deputy Chief Joe Gorski read at the press conference, and said, "While revisiting this case has been incredibly difficult for our family, we are deeply grateful to finally have closure after 45 long years. Thanks to advancements in DNA technology and groundbreaking investigative tools, we are hopeful that other families won’t have to endure the same pain and uncertainty we faced for so many years."

The family's note continued, "We extend our heartfelt thanks to the North Aurora Police Department and all the agencies and organizations involved for their dedication, persistence, and for never giving up — even when the odds seemed impossible. The kindness and respect shown to our family during this journey will never be forgotten."

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