Police increased the reward to $60,000 Tuesday for information about Kelli O'Laughlin's killer
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Friends and family of a 14-year-old Indian Head Park girl killed last week in her home gathered Wednesday to pay their respects.
Kelli O'Laughlin was stabbed to death after she apparently walked into a burglary after school, police said. Detectives on Tuesday announced the reward has been raised to $60,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction of her killer.
"Kelli was smart, happy, full of promise, and absolutely tennis-crazy," said Richard Roderick, a friend of the family. "Every time that I saw her at the tennis club, she always had her two best friends with her: her tennis racket and her cellphone."
Visitation for O'Laughlin was scheduled from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday in Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., in Countryside.
Mass will be said Friday at St. John of the Cross Church, 5005 Wolf Road, in Western Springs.
Police said they have received more than 100 leads, but none have panned out. No one has yet been arrested in connection with the girl's death.
"This reaches beyond the borders of Indian Head Park," said Indian Head Park Police Chief Frank Alonzo. "We need everyone's help."
O'Laughlin was found by her mother Thursday afternoon in her home in the 6300 block of Keokuk Road. Several rare coins were stolen from the home, police said, and area pawn shops have been asked to remain on alert for anyone trying to sell them.
The murder suspect is described as a black man who stands about 5'8" or 5'9" tall between the ages of 25 and 35 with a medium build and wearing a dark hoodie.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Village of Indian Head Park Police Department at 708-246-4534.
