This murder happened more than 13 years ago in Des Plaines… a young woman coming home from work surprised by an attacker who then disappeared without a trace. Since then detectives have zeroed in on a suspect, but hasn't been able to track him down.
The victim was Young Kavila, a United Flight airlines attendant.
On November 30, 1999 she came home from work to her home in DesPlaines.
The FBI says she was surprised by a man who attacked her with knife and sexually assaulted and then killed her.
Special Agent Ross Rice says a woman contacted Des Plaines police in 2007, and said she knew who the killer was.
She identified the man as Luis Rodriguez Mena.
The tip came from Mena's sister. She said Mena had bragged about killing Kavila after he had fled to Mexico. He also had deep gashes on his chest and walked with a limp from a deep cut to his him.
She said he threatened to kill anyone of his family who turned him in. Rice says after apparently one too many violent outbursts against the family, the sister contacted police.
He says there was DNA and fingerprints left behind. The detective assigned to the case then found Mena's old girlfriend, who described how Mena said they had to leave immediately for Mexico with their son.
A DNA swab of the son revealed that the DNA gathered from the scene was indeed a relative of the boy.
Once police identified their suspect as Luis Mena they were also able to match a fingerprint from the scene to one on file for Mena with Mexican authorities from a previous arrest.
In 2008 the FBI obtained a warrant for Mena's arrest for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. In coordination with Mexican police, they planned an arrest at his last known address in Mexico, but Mena was not there.
The FBI believes he may have been spotted in the Des Plains area by Mena's ex-girlfriend, who is convinced she saw him watching their son play in a ball game just last year. So there's reason to believe he could be back in the Chicago area.
Here is a description of Luis Rodriguez Mena:
He is Hispanic.
38 years old.
5'7'', 160 pounds.
Black hair and brown eyes.
He has a tattoo on his hand as well as scars on his chest and hip.
He is considered armed and dangerous. If you know where Mena might be, you're asked to call police.
Friday, April 12 2013 10:57 PM EDT2013-04-13 02:57:15 GMT
However one individual, 29-year-old Kenneth Blackman disappeared before the takedown took place. As a result, the FBI is engaged in a manhunt to track and apprehend Blackman.
However one individual, 29-year-old Kenneth Blackman disappeared before the takedown took place. As a result, the FBI is engaged in a manhunt to track and apprehend Blackman.
Friday, April 5 2013 3:56 PM EDT2013-04-05 19:56:00 GMT
There's a saying that it's better to give than to receive, but the FBI says businessman Ahmed Fa Albalwneh, 44, turned that mantra upside down to make his company all about the taking.
There's a saying that it's better to give than to receive, but the FBI says businessman Ahmed Fa Albalwneh, 44, turned that mantra upside down to make his company all about the taking.
Friday, March 29 2013 3:53 PM EDT2013-03-29 19:53:58 GMT
The first robbery happened at the Chase bank on Front Street near Wolf Road in Mokena on February 21st. Five days later he held up another bank, this time the First Midwest Bank on 80th Avenue.
The first robbery happened at the Chase bank on Front Street near Wolf Road in Mokena on February 21st. Five days later he held up another bank, this time the First Midwest Bank on 80th Avenue at 167th in Tinley Park.
Saturday, May 18 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:11:43 GMT
Police says a gay man was shot and killed in Greenwich Village after a man with a gun shouted homophobic slurs at him early Saturday morning. According to authorities, the 32-year-old victim was shot
Police says a gay man was shot and killed in Greenwich Village after a man with a gun shouted homophobic slurs at him early Saturday morning. According to authorities, the 32-year-old victim was shot
Saturday, May 18 2013 5:52 PM EDT2013-05-18 21:52:21 GMT
Nassau County police have identified the career criminal who allegedly shot and killed a Hofstra University student in a home invasion robbery early Friday morning.
Nassau County police have identified the career criminal who allegedly shot and killed a Hofstra University student in a home invasion robbery early Friday morning.
Saturday, May 18 2013 4:03 PM EDT2013-05-18 20:03:41 GMT
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Saturday, May 18 2013 7:49 AM EDT2013-05-18 11:49:20 GMT
An airline official says a US Airways flight with 34 people aboard was forced to make a belly landing at Newark International Airport after experiencing landing gear trouble. No injuries were reported.
An airline official says a US Airways flight with 34 people aboard was forced to make a belly landing at Newark International Airport after experiencing landing gear trouble. No injuries were reported.
Friday, May 17 2013 9:12 PM EDT2013-05-18 01:12:56 GMT
A welcome sight in Coney Island: workers cleaning umbrellas, wiping down counters, and putting the finishing touches on a rebuilt Original Nathan's Famous.
A welcome sight in Coney Island: workers cleaning umbrellas, wiping down counters, and putting the finishing touches on a rebuilt Original Nathan's Famous.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:53:52 GMT
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has approved the master plan for the American Dream megamall in the Meadowlands sports complex. The approval at Friday's special board meeting means the
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has approved the master plan for the American Dream megamall in the Meadowlands sports complex. The approval at Friday's special board meeting means the
Friday, May 17 2013 8:28 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:28:27 GMT
Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who represents New York City, said he will resign June 20 amid a sexual harassment scandal and run for a City Council seat.
Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who represents New York City, said he will resign June 20 amid a sexual harassment scandal and run for a City Council seat.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:54 PM EDT2013-05-17 21:54:45 GMT
The big game will be played in New Jersey but the big party will be in New York City. Organizers call it "Super Bowl Boulevard."
The big game will be played in New Jersey but the big party will be in New York City. Organizers call it "Super Bowl Boulevard": it will stretch from 44th Street on Broadway all the way to 34th Street.
