Police Identify Suspect in Elderly Woman's Slaying, Confirm Investigation into Officer-Involved Shooting

Marengo Police Chief Les Kottke announced on Wednesday that investigators have uncovered substantial evidence placing Jose Manuel Aldava-Grijaldo, 21, at the murder scene of 83-year-old Verna Corcoran. The evidence, which includes personal items belonging to Corcoran found in Aldava-Grijaldo's possession, suggests that he acted alone in the slaying, which appears to have been a robbery or burglary in the Indian Trails neighborhood.

Key Takeaways:

• The investigation has found that Jose Manuel Aldava-Grijaldo, 21, is the only suspect in the slaying of Verna Corcoran, an 83-year-old woman who was strangled during a robbery or burglary at her home.
• Personal items belonging to Corcoran were found in Aldava-Grijaldo's possession, which has led investigators to believe that he acted alone in the crime.
• The investigation has not found any evidence indicating that Aldava-Grijaldo knew Corcoran or why he targeted her home.
• A friend checking on Corcoran found her dead at about 6:15 p.m. Sunday, sprawled across the foyer of her home. The residence had been ransacked.
• Aldava-Grijaldo was identified as the suspect after a police officer spotted him driving Corcoran's car just five blocks from the crime scene. Aldava-Grijaldo fled, leading to a 15-mile chase that ended when he lost control of the vehicle at a rail crossing near Hampshire.
• The officer who killed Aldava-Grijaldo has been placed on paid administrative leave, and the Illinois State Police are conducting an investigation into the shooting.
• The investigation into the shooting will be turned over to the Kane County state's attorney's office for a final determination on the officer's actions.

Statistics:

• Verna Corcoran, 83, was strangled during a robbery or burglary at her home in the Indian Trails neighborhood.
• Jose Manuel Aldava-Grijaldo, 21, is the only suspect in the slaying of Corcoran.
• Aldava-Grijaldo was found dead after a 15-mile chase that ended when he lost control of the vehicle at a rail crossing near Hampshire.
• The officer who killed Aldava-Grijaldo has been placed on paid administrative leave for an investigation into the shooting.

Sources:

• Charles Keeshan, "Man gunned down by police was only suspect in elderly woman's slaying," The Daily Herald, Wednesday.
• Les Kottke, Marengo Police Chief, statement at a news conference.
• Joseph Perez, Master Sgt., Illinois State Police, statement at a news conference.
• Cmdr. Michael Brichetto, McHenry County's Major Investigations Assistance Team, statement at a news conference.