An abandoned Cadillac belonging to the slain parents of CLTV host Garrard McClendon was discovered on the northbound express lane of the Dan Ryan Expressway overnight.
A motorist who called in saying she recognized it from news reports tipped off police to the car’s location. Police had asked the public to be on the lookout for a Green, 1997 Cadillac Eldorado with Indiana plates 365ZTN.
The tipster said she had seen seeing two men exiting the car --- one with a backpack, the other with a red hoodie, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Responding State Police crews found the vehicle, but there was no sign of the men, Illinois State Police District Chicago Trooper Ivan Bukaczyk said.
Milton, 78, and Ruby McClendon, 76, were found murdered Monday afternoon. Their bodies were discovered in the Wentworth Woods Forest Preserve in Calumet City. A Tuesday autopsy determined Milton McClendon died of a gunshot wound to the head and Ruby McClendon died of multiple gunshot wounds, the medical examiner’s office said.
Both bodies were fully clothed and found about ten feet west of Campbell Road between Michigan City and Pulaski Roads, according to the medical examiner’s office.
The man was dressed in a multicolored dress shirt with buttons, dark pants and suspenders. The woman was found dressed in a white shirt and dark pants with no shoes.
Neither victim had identification on them, but a coroner was able to ID Milton because of his pacemaker.
The couple were the one of the first African-American residents of Hammond, Indiana and were well respected in the neighborhood in which they lived.
Hammond police Lt. Richard Hoyda said police executed a search warrant at the McClendons’ home in the 1000 block of Field Street in Hammond on Tuesday.
STNGWire contributed to this report.
