A man is in custody in connection with last week's stabbing death of an Indian Head Park teen, a law enforcement source confirmed.
Kelli O'Laughlin was stabbed to death after she apparently walked into a burglary in progress at her home after school last Thursday, police said.
Since then, officers have followed up on more than 100 leads in the case. One of them panned out, the source told NBCChicago.com.
Wednesday was the first of two days of visitation held for O'Laughlin. At the same time, a scholarship fund established in her memory was announced.
Earlier in the day, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart was seen surveying the backyard of the property, where police say the killer entered the home. Sources tell NBCChicago that Dart has been intimately involved with the investigation as a commander with the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force.
He did not speak publicly about the investigation.
O'Laughlin was found by her mother in her home in the 6300 block of Keokuk Road. Several rare coins were stolen from the home, police said, and area pawn shops were asked to remain on alert for anyone trying to sell them.
The murder suspect has been 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.
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| Police last week released this sketch of a man with whom they'd like to speak. |
