CHICAGO (WLS) - A woman is charged with murder after human remains are found in the refrigerator at a Far North Side boarding house. Sandra Kolalou, 36, has been charged with first-degree murder, Chicago Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan announced Wednesday night. He was also charged with one count of concealing the death, murder and one count of misdemeanor assault with a lethal weapon. Police said they were called to 5900-block North Washtenaw Avenue Tuesday night for a health check at the missing woman's apartment after tenants said they had not seen her.
During the health check, police said they found human remains in the fridge of the owner's apartment. The Cook County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Frances Walker. Walker rents out rooms in his house to women who need shelter. Police said the same tenant who reported him missing told police they were afraid of Kolalou and had called 911 about him in the past. Police said these tenants reported hearing screams around 2:30 p.m. Monday night through Tuesday.
Police also said Kolalou had a history of problems with Walker, and Walker had recently served him with an eviction notice. "It's very likely what escalated this into the defendant being very angry and committing this horrific act," said Chief Detective of Chicago Police Brendan Deenihan.
Police said officers who searched the home found blood in the bedroom, blood on a knife and then found Walker's dismembered remains in the freezer. "They eventually found human remains in the fridge, where we withdrew from the residence to secure a search warrant to return and properly retrieve all evidence," Deenihan said. "When the police arrived, the person informed the police that there was another suspect living in the residence that the other tenants were afraid of." Deenihan said they believe Walker was murdered in his bedroom and dismembered on the first floor of his home.
"He was a very nice person," said his older brother Arnold Walker. "No one deserves what happened to him." Walker's husband is out of the country but told ABC7 over the phone that he is the best human being he knows. Police said when officers arrived for a health check, they actually met Kolalou and tried to interview him, but he told them he knew his rights and refused to talk to them.
Police said he then left in a tow truck allegedly using Walker's credit card to place an order. Police said another tenant, who was concerned about the tow truck driver's safety, exchanged information with him and warned him he was dangerous. Police said residents told them they had seen Kolalou get help from a tow truck driver with a heavy plastic trash bag, who led officers to evidence about three miles away in a lakeside trash can in Foster Beach, where more remains were found. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said the remains found in the trash can were not human. CPD said bloody towels or washcloths were also in the trash can.
"The tow truck driver explained that the individual pointed a knife at him, so officers responded to the scene and placed the suspect into custody," Deenihan said. Deenihan said Kolalou was detained but not cooperating with the investigation and refused to speak to them. He is due in bond court Thursday. He has a prior criminal history for several misdemeanors. Wednesday morning forensic technicians wearing protective suits came and went for hours.
Neighbors said Walker was active in the neighborhood and kind. He also spends a lot of time with his dog. They say he offers shelter to women in need and plays the piano at two local churches. They were surprised someone would do something like this to him. "He was always so attentive and caring and it's really surprising what happened to him," said Monsignor Jim Kaczorowski or Queen of the Apostles Parrish, one of the churches where Walker played organ for more than 20 years.
"He was always so kind and so helpful, he always came with joy in his heart and he loved being on the organ," said music director Stuart Thompson. "He likes to play the organ." "It's absolutely devastating, like I even had a hard time getting home last night. I'm staying at my friend's house. I feel safer with my parents and their belongings," said neighbor Raymond Truong.
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