Case overview
On February 2, 2008, five women were shot and killed inside a Lane Bryant store in Tinley Park, Illinois, during what appeared to be a robbery. The gunman bound six employees and customers in a back room before opening fire, leaving one survivor who provided a detailed description. Despite thousands of tips, multiple person-of-interest investigations, and DNA evidence recovered from the scene, no arrests have been made.
The morning shift
The Lane Bryant store opened at 10:00 a.m. that Saturday. By late morning, six people were inside: store manager Rhoda McFarland, 42; part-time employee Jennifer Bishop, 34; part-time employee Sarah Szafranski, 22; part-time employee Carrie Hudek Chiuso, 33; part-time employee Connie Woolfolk, 37; and a customer whose identity has not been publicly released.
At approximately 10:45 a.m., a man entered the store. Witnesses outside later described seeing a heavy-set Black man, approximately 5’9″ to 6 feet tall, wearing a waist-length black jacket, dark jeans, and a black baseball cap. He carried what appeared to be a dark-colored duffel bag.
The man ordered the women into a back room. He used duct tape and zipties to bind their hands and legs. The survivor, who was shot but played dead, later told investigators the man demanded money and acted as though he was conducting a robbery. He spoke calmly and did not appear agitated.
The shooting
At approximately 11:00 a.m., the man opened fire with a .40-caliber handgun. Five women were killed: McFarland, Bishop, Szafranski, Hudek Chiuso, and Woolfolk. The sixth woman was shot in the neck but survived by remaining motionless. The gunman left through the rear exit.
Emergency calls began at 11:03 a.m. Tinley Park police arrived within minutes. The survivor was transported to a hospital and treated for a gunshot wound. She provided investigators with a detailed physical description of the offender and a partial account of his actions inside the store.
Investigators recovered spent shell casings, DNA evidence from items the gunman touched, and surveillance footage from nearby businesses. The store’s interior cameras were not operational that day. No weapon was recovered.
The composite and early suspect activity
Police released a composite sketch based on the survivor’s description. The gunman was described as a Black male, 25 to 35 years old, approximately 230 to 260 pounds, with cornrow braids visible beneath his cap. He wore a dark jacket with a logo or emblem on the left chest area.
In the days following the shooting, police received hundreds of tips. Surveillance video from surrounding businesses captured vehicles entering and leaving the shopping center around the time of the shooting. Investigators identified several cars of interest but none led to an arrest.
Within the first week, police announced they were investigating whether the shooting was connected to other robberies in the region. No connection was confirmed.
Christopher Dougherty and the Ohio lead
In 2008, police identified Christopher Dougherty, a convicted rapist from Connecticut, as a person of interest. Dougherty was incarcerated at the time of the murders but had been released shortly before. He matched aspects of the composite and was known to have traveled to Illinois.
Police obtained a DNA sample from Dougherty and compared it to DNA recovered from the Lane Bryant scene. The DNA did not match. Dougherty was formally excluded as a suspect in 2009.
Investigators also pursued leads tied to other violent offenders active in the region in early 2008. None resulted in charges.
The reexamination of evidence in 2013
In 2013, the FBI and Tinley Park Police Department announced they were reexamining forensic evidence using updated DNA technology. Investigators stated the original DNA profile remained viable and had been entered into the Combined DNA Index System but had not generated a match.
Tinley Park Police also conducted a public outreach campaign, distributing flyers with the composite sketch and suspect description throughout Illinois and neighboring states. The renewed effort generated additional tips but no breakthrough.
Disputed details and public frustration
Over the years, family members and advocates have questioned the investigative approach. Some relatives of the victims have expressed frustration with the lack of updates and clarity about what evidence remains under active review.
One recurring question centers on whether the offender had prior knowledge of the store layout or had been inside the building before. Investigators have not confirmed whether surveillance from previous days captured the suspect or a vehicle tied to him.
Another disputed detail involves the gunman’s stated motive. The survivor described the man as demanding money, but the amount taken from the register was minimal, leading some observers to speculate the robbery was staged. Police have not confirmed a motive.
What the record shows now
As of 2025, the Lane Bryant murders remain unsolved. The FBI continues to list the case as an active investigation. The DNA profile remains in CODIS. Tinley Park Police have stated that tips continue to come in and are reviewed as they are received.
The reward for information leading to an arrest stands at $100,000. The composite sketch and suspect description remain the primary investigative tools available to the public.
No arrests have been made. No charges have been filed. The offender has not been publicly identified.
Where to look next
- Documentary: “The Hunt for the Killer” (Crime Watch Daily)
- Book: “Tinley Park: The Untold Story of the Lane Bryant Murders” by David Struett
- Podcast: “Murder Squad” (Exactly Right Media)
