A chilling case in West Rogers Park has concluded with the conviction of Sandra Kolalou, who brutally murdered and dismembered her landlord, Francis Walker.
The Incident That Occurred
On October 10, 2022, a scream at 2:00 a.m. awakened tenants in the multi-unit home in the 5900 block of North Washtenaw Avenue. Concerned, they attempted to call Walker throughout the day but received no response. By evening, unable to reach her, they reported Walker missing to the police
Upon arrival, officers found Kolalou trying to leave in a tow truck paid for with Walker’s credit card. Further investigation uncovered bloody rags in a beachside trash can, leading investigators to conduct a more thorough search of the home. Ultimately, police discovered Walker’s severed head, arms, and legs inside the kitchen freezer.
The Prosecution and Defense
Prosecutors made a clear case that Kolalou had killed Walker after an argument about an eviction notice. Key evidence included the bloody rags, DNA found in plastic bags in the freezer, and surveillance footage. Large butcher knives were allegedly used to murder and dismember Walker in her first-floor bedroom. They also suggested that Walker’s husband, who was in Bulgaria, could be a suspect. Kolalou pleaded innocence throughout the trial.
The Verdict of Kolalou
After 7 ½ hours, the jury found Kolalou guilty of first-degree murder, dismemberment, concealing a homicidal death, and aggravated identity theft. The new date for the sentencing, which was originally scheduled for June 26, 2024, is set for July 10th.
Details of the Crime
Apart from hearing loud bangs and screaming they also received suspicious text messages sent from Walker’s phone, which they later realized were Kolalou. In these messages, they stated that Kolalou would watch the Walker’s dog and manage the property.
Kolalou also allegedly threatened a tow truck driver with a knife after he refused to take her car to another location. The driver reported the incident to police, who then detained her and searched her belongings, finding further evidence of the crime.
Community Impact, Getting Closure
Francis was a beloved figure in her community, known for her generosity and kindness. She was an active member of her church and a piano accompanist at the Evanston School of Ballet. Her gruesome death devastated her friends and family, but they expressed a sense of closure following the result of the conviction.
“We miss Fran a lot,” said her sister-in-law, Maria Maggie Walker. “She was a person that no one could ever say anything bad about.”
Walker’s family hopes that her tragic death will serve as a reminder of the importance of community vigilance and the need for safer tenant-landlord relationships. Kolalou’s conviction allows the community to begin healing, as we know justice has been served for Francis Walker.
By: Khalyse Hemingway
Sources:
Inset Image Courtesy of Surrey County Council News Flickr Page -Creative Commons License
Featured Image Courtesy of Tex Texin Flickr Page -Creative Commons License
FOX 32: Chicago woman who killed, dismembered landlord will be sentenced in July
ChicagoSuntimes: Tenant convicted of murdering, dismembering 69-year-old landlord on Northwest Side
NBC: Verdict reached in case of Chicago landlord allegedly killed, dismembered by tenant
FOX32: Chicago woman denied new trial in landlord murder case
ABC7: Jury selection begins for trial of tenant accused of dismembering North Side landlord
