Brothers in custody after mother, sister found buried in Illinois backyard
Global News
Michael Lelko told police he had buried his mother and sister in the backyard of his Chicago-area home after they died years ago.
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An Illinois man suspected of burying the bodies of his mother and sister in his backyard has been arrested on felony charges, officials announced Thursday.
Michael Lelko, 45, is facing two felony counts of concealment of a death, reports The Associated Press.
According to Lyons police Chief Thomas Herion, Michael is not charged in the deaths of his mom, 79-year-old Jean Lelko, and 44-year-old Jennifer Lelko, as the medical examiner can’t pinpoint an exact cause of death for either woman.
NBC News reports that Michael’s brother, John Lelko, 41, has also been arrested and may face charges in the coming days, although those charges have not yet been revealed.
Police were originally called to the home in Lyons Township – a suburb of Chicago – in August of 2021 after a well-being check was requested. That’s when the bodies were found.
Both bodies had been buried in plastic tubs that had been sealed with duct tape.
Herion said Michael told police that his mother had died in 2015 after his sister pushed her down the stairs and that he buried his sister in the yard in 2019 after she became ill and died.
