CHICAGO — A haunting chapter from Illinois’ past is returning to public focus with the release of a new book, Something Big: The True Story of the Brown’s Chicken Massacre, set to hit shelves on July 1. The true crime account revisits the 1993 mass murder of seven people inside a Brown’s Chicken restaurant in Palatine, a case that left the suburb shaken for decades.
A Chilling Crime That Gripped the Suburbs
On the night of January 8, 1993, the owners of the restaurant and five employees were brutally murdered. Their bodies were discovered inside the restaurant’s walk-in freezer — a discovery that stunned both investigators and residents of the quiet suburban community.
The crime went unsolved for nearly nine years, with few leads and growing frustration among families and law enforcement.
Justice Comes Years Later
It wasn’t until a tip from James Degorski’s former girlfriend that the case broke open. The girlfriend implicated Degorski and Juan Luna, both of whom were later convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Their arrests marked the end of one of the longest cold case investigations in the region’s history.
Patrick Wohl’s Book Sheds New Light
Author Patrick Wohl, who grew up in the Chicago suburbs, is behind the new book. Drawing from court records, interviews, and firsthand accounts, Wohl explores not just the investigation, but the emotional toll it took on the victims’ families and the broader Palatine community.
The book promises never-before-shared insights into the suspects, the detectives who cracked the case, and the town that still bears the scars of that night.
Upcoming Events for Local Readers
Wohl is holding two free book signing events in the Chicago area:
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Tuesday, July 1 at 6 p.m. – Barnes & Noble, Old Orchard Mall
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Saturday, July 5 at 3 p.m. – Barbara’s Bookstore, Lombard
Interested attendees can register at PatrickWohl.com.
Why This Case Still Matters
Even 30 years later, the Brown’s Chicken Massacre remains a chilling reminder of how violence can strike in the most unexpected places. For many Illinois residents, it was a turning point in how crime was perceived in the suburbs — a breach of the sense of safety that still resonates today.
Do you remember where you were when the Brown’s Chicken tragedy happened? Share your memories and thoughts in the comments on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
