CHICAGO — Chester Weger, the man at the center of one of Illinois’ most controversial murder cases, died at age 86 on Sunday while still claiming innocence for the brutal 1960 killings at Starved Rock State Park.
According to his attorney Andy Hale, Weger passed away in Kansas City, surrounded by family. The news came just days after a judge denied his final attempt to overturn the decades-old conviction, which had haunted him throughout his life.
Murder Conviction That Shocked Illinois
Weger was convicted in the slayings of Lillian Oetting, Frances Murphy, and Mildred Lindquist, three women from the Chicago area who were found bludgeoned to death during a vacation in LaSalle County’s Starved Rock State Park. At the time of the murders, Weger was working as a dishwasher at the Starved Rock Lodge.
The key piece of evidence was a cord from the lodge, reportedly matching the one used to bind the victims. Weger initially confessed to the murders — but he later recanted, saying the confession was coerced. Despite lingering doubts and multiple claims of misconduct, he was sentenced to life in prison.
Parole and Continued Legal Battle
After 24 denied applications for parole, Weger was finally released in 2020, having first become eligible in 1972. His release reignited public debate around his case, especially with ongoing efforts by his legal team to clear his name.
Attorney Andy Hale remained a vocal advocate, saying,
“Chester fought until the end to clear his name. He was innocent of the horrific murders but died just days after a LaSalle County judge denied his request to overturn his conviction.”
Legacy of Doubt and Controversy
Despite his release, Weger’s legacy remains entangled in questions about false confessions, evidence handling, and potential miscarriages of justice. His death effectively closes the door on legal avenues for exoneration but leaves behind a legacy that continues to stir debate in Illinois legal circles.
The Starved Rock case, now more than 60 years old, remains one of the longest-running controversies in the state’s criminal justice history.
What do you think about the decades-long legal fight in the Chester Weger case? Should Illinois revisit convictions from the 1960s more critically? Share your views at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
