Program initiated to help resolve unsolved homicide cases

Crime Stoppers is seeking tips or any information which might be helpful in solving the below listed homicides which have occurred in Sangamon County in past years . In some instances, these tragic criminal acts occurred many years ago and although the cases are not forgotten, new information has not materialized for a long period of time. New information is needed in all of these cases and it is hoped that, over time, someone has decided to come forward with information which might help investigators.

Victims: Santiago D. Roberts & Victor A. Chairs
Date of Incident: March 14, 2006
Address of Incident: 918 W. Maple North, Springfield

On Tuesday, March 14th, 2006 at approximately 0645 hours the Springfield Police Department was called to 918 W. Maple North regarding two people that were found inside the residence shot to death. The two were identified as the resident of the home Santiago D. Roberts M/B DOB 01/01/84 and his friend Victor A. Chairs M/B DOB 11/26/84. During the course of the double homicide investigation a suspect was identified and interviewed. Unfortunately, there is not enough information at this time to present the case to the court system in pursuance of criminal charges which would result in a conviction. The police are looking for any information persons may have about the homicide of Santiago Roberts and Victor Chairs. If anyone has any information about the homicide, it may be of a nature that it will contribute to the investigation and they are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers.

Victims: Christopher B. Nesch & James L. Crews
Location of Incident: 2035 Grant Street Springfield, IL (Laketown)
Date of Incident: 12/08/12

On December 8, 2012 at approximately 3:40 am, Deputies from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 2000 block of Grant Street in Springfield in the Laketown area regarding multiple gun shots which were heard in the area. Upon arrival, deputies found victims Christopher Nesch and James Crews who had been shot multiple times. Both Christopher Nesch and James Crews had been sitting in a vehicle which was parked on the roadway. Both victims died as a result of their injuries, Nesch at the scene and Crews while undergoing emergency treatment. Investigators determined that a dark colored vehicle, similar in make and model to a Dodge Charger was observed in the area at the time of the shooting.

Victim: Freddie L. Williams
Location of Incident: 11th & Reynolds
Date of Incident: June 8, 2006

On Thursday, June 8, 2006 at approximately 5:01 a.m., Springfield Police Officers were dispatched to the area of 11th and Reynolds for a reported stabbing. Upon arrival, officers located the victim, Freddy L. Williams (M/B/10-23-47). Williams was conscious when officers arrived and he was bleeding from a stab wound to his chest. He said he had just returned home from dropping his girlfriend off at work. Williams said he was walking up to his residence when a black male jumped out of the bushes and stabbed him.

He told officers the suspect fled without attempting to rob him. Williams was transported by ambulance to Memorial Medical Center and was pronounced deceased at 6:10 a.m.

Date of Incident: May 22, 2007
Location of Incident: 5th & South Grand Ave, Springfield
Victim: Alfred Dixon

On the May 22, 2007 at 3:48 am the Sangamon County Central Dispatch System received a 9-1-1 call in reference to a black male that was lying in the roadway at the intersection of 5th and South Grand. The male was bleeding and was not breathing. Multiple motorists had stopped to give the male, later identified as Alfred W Dixon (DOB 06/15/1957), chest compressions while the Springfield Fire Department, America Ambulance, and the Springfield Police Department were en route. These life saving efforts were continued while Alfred was transported to St. Johns Hospital. At St. Johns, Emergency Room Personnel located two gunshot wounds and it was determined that the injuries from the wounds were life threatening. He was placed on life support however he was pronounced deceased on May 26, 2007.

Date of Incident: August 1, 2003
Address of Incident: 1315 E. Cook
Victims: Shameka Wright & Jared Womack

On the evening of August 1st, 2003 the Springfield Police Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from an unknown hysterical juvenile female caller who reported that her mom had been shot at 1315 E. Cook. A few minutes later a second call was received from an adult male requesting an ambulance because a girl had been shot. The dispatcher attempted to get a name of the caller but he said, “The paramedics are here” and then hung up. Firefighters and ambulance personnel responded to the scene and found a female victim identified as Shameka Wright (DOB 5/02/1980) lying on the couch in the living room bleeding from several wounds to her face and upper body.

Date of Incident: April 5, 2008
Location: 1236 N. Oaklane Road
Victim: Michelle Bianco

Michelle Bianco was last seen and heard from on April 5th, 2008 at her cousin’s home at the 2100 block of South Grand Avenue East in Springfield. At the time Michelle had blond shoulder length hair and blue eyes. She was described as being a white female standing 5’7” tall and weighing 112 pounds. She was reported missing by her boyfriend who discovered her missing when he returned home from an out of town trip on April 6, 2008. No family or friends have spoken to her since she was last seen at her cousin’s home.

Police received information that on the evening of April 5, 2008 Michelle, also known as Shelly, was seen getting into a black Pontiac with a sunroof which was driven by a white male with a small build, black hair over his ears, and an unshaven face. The driver appeared to know Michelle and offered her a ride home which she willingly accepted. She has not been seen or heard from since. Due to the suspicious nature of her disappearance and the likelihood of foul play, Crime Stoppers is presenting this case to the public seeking information for investigators. If information is presented to Crime Stoppers which leads to an arrest of a person responsible for foul play in the disappearance and homicide of Michelle Bianco, Crime Stoppers will pay $5000 cash to the anonymous tipster.

Victim: Norma Lipskis
Location of Incident: 6 Willimantic Dr. Rochester, IL
Date of Incident: July 25th, 2013

On July 25th 2013 at approximately 9:38 pm, Rochester Police Department responded to 6 Willimantic Road in reference to a 70 year old female lying on the bathroom floor. The female, later identified as Norma Lipskis, was found by responding Officer’s lying unconscious on the bathroom floor. After medical personnel had arrived at the house, it was determined Norma had passed away.

On the morning of July 29th 2013, the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office was contacted by the Rochester Police Department and the Sangamon County Coroner’s Office and was asked to assist with the investigation. After a review of the evidence, the death of Norma Lipskis was determined to be a Homicide.

Victim:Landis Bates
Location of Incident: 1510 Melrose
Date of Incident: August 18, 2012

On August 18, 2012 at 1:52 am the Springfield Police Department received a call reporting that a shooting had just occurred at the Sandtrap Tavern located at 1510 E Melrose. Officers arrived to find the victim Landis M. Bates, a male black DOB 08/25/89 lying at the northeast corner of Melrose and Foxbridge Road. Landis was transported to Memorial Medical Center where he died from a gunshot wound.

On 9/30/10 at 3:22 pm Officers were called to the 3800 block of South 2nd Street in Springfield for a one vehicle accident in which a car had run off the road into a corn field. Deputies arrived and found James L Jones (M/B 08/04/77) inside the vehicle unresponsive. He was transported to Memorial Medical Center where it was determined that he had been the victim of a fatal gunshot wound, he was pronounced deceased at the hospital.