[Wilding] Neighbor charged in teen's death
Anne Warfield
Neighbor charged in teen's death
By Robert Channick
Special to the Tribune
Published July 17, 2004, 12:15 PM CDT
A 21-year-old man from Ingleside was charged with first-degree murder
for fatally stabbing a 16-year-old girl during a burglary attempt at
her home earlier this week, police said today.
Adam D. Christenson, of the 36900 block of Illinois 59, was charged in
the death of Elizabeth "Liz" Willding. She was found stabbed about 40
times in her home in the 25500 block of Orchard Avenue Wednesday.
About two hours after her body was found, police canvassing the
neighborhood were approached by Christenson, police said today. They
became suspicious and took him into custody.
Police have also arrested two other people for the burglary of
Willding's home on Tuesday, in which an X-Box and a digital camera
were taken.
Charged in that burglary are Melissa Ann Ward, 20, of Antioch, and
Daniel R. Rowe, 19, of Ingleside.
Police said today that Christenson went back to the house on Wednesday
to get various attachments for the digital camera. A struggle
allegedly ensued between him and Willding, who was home at the time,
police said.
An autopsy Thursday revealed the teen had been stabbed 10 times in the
neck and more than 30 times on her face, arms, chest and back. The
girl's body was discovered by her mother when she came home from work.
Copyright © 2004, Chicago Tribune
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Anne Warfield
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Anne Warfield
Teen's death not random
Police say killer likely knew her
By Lisa Black and Jodi S. Cohen
Tribune staff reporters
Published July 17, 2004
After following more than 100 leads, investigators believe the person
who fatally stabbed a 16-year-old high school student likely lives in
the same Ingleside neighborhood, authorities said Friday.
"I don't suspect it was a random selection," said Lake County Sheriff
Gary Del Re. "I suspect when we resolve this it will be somebody from
the neighborhood."
Police are continuing to talk to a 19-year-old "person of interest" in
the death of Elizabeth "Liz" Willding, but no arrests have been made,
said Del Re.
The man in custody lives in Ingleside and came to the attention of
investigators when he approached them at the crime scene Wednesday,
said Del Re, whose office is handling the case because it occurred in
unincorporated Lake County.
"I'd stop short of saying he provided any information," Del Re said.
"He did talk to one of our investigators while we were there. That
kind of piqued our interest in what he had to say, and he was brought
down to our headquarters for more discussion."
Investigators have sent items to the Northern Illinois Police Crime
Lab for analysis, said Sgt. Christopher Thompson.
The teenager's body was discovered by her mother Wednesday in the
family's home in the 25500 block of Orchard Avenue. Willding had been
stabbed more than 40 times, authorities said.
Del Re said the 35 investigators involved in the case were focusing on
friends, teachers, "people who can provide us with a better
understanding of what Liz was like and who her associates were."
Willding's family has not been allowed to return to their home as
police continue to search for evidence, he said.
An autopsy Thursday revealed the teen had been stabbed 10 times in the
neck and more than 30 times on her face, arms, chest and back.
There was no evidence of sexual assault, Lake County Coroner Jim
Wipper said.
No weapon has been identified, Del Re said.
Willding, well known at Grant Township High School in Fox Lake for her
athletic skills and singing, would have turned 17 on July 27.
Grieving friends and family gathered in the high school parking lot
Thursday night, lighting candles in her memory.
Several candles flickered on a stoop outside the school on Friday
afternoon. There were piles of flowers, pictures and notes, including
one that said, "To see you was to see an angel."
A memorial of flowers and a cross were placed outside Willding's home,
which was still surrounded by crime scene tape.
Authorities asked that anyone with information regarding the
investigation contact the Lake County Major Crime Task Force at
847-377-4180.
Visitation for the teen, who has two older sisters, will be from 3 to
8 p.m. Monday in Strang Funeral Home, 1055 Main St., Antioch. She also
is survived by her parents, Geralyn and Stephen Willding, who are
divorced.
A mass will be said at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. Peter Catholic Church,
557 Lake St., Antioch.
Copyright © 2004, Chicago Tribune
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