Somebody Knows Something: Episode 1 - Murder at the Foundry (1971) Summary

Release Date: August 11, 2025

Introduction to Season Two

Detective Andrew Houghton (02:31) opens Season Two of Somebody Knows Something by reflecting on the previous season, which focused on the 1983 disappearance of Karen Schepers. He announces significant changes for the new season, including the promotion of Detective Matt Vartanian to Sergeant and the introduction of Detective Chris Hall as his new partner and co-host.

Detective Chris Hall (03:08) expresses his enthusiasm for delving into Elgin's cold case homicides and missing persons cases, emphasizing the importance of remembering victims and seeking justice for their families.

Overview of Season Two: The 1970s in Elgin

Detective Houghton (04:09) outlines the focus of Season Two, titled Elgin: The 1970’s. The season will explore five cold case homicides and one missing person case from the 1970s:

1. 1971: Murder of Guadalupe Alanis
2. 1975: Shooting of Maynard Chester Holley
3. 1976: Death of 16-year-old Lori Bolger and disappearance of 14-year-old Barbara Glueckert
4. 1977: Stabbing of Casey Kyles
5. 1979: Murder of Renee Tovar

Additionally, the season will revisit the 1976 disappearance of Barbara Glueckert, linking it to Karen Schepers' case from the previous season.

Setting the Stage: Elgin in the 1970s

Detective Chris Hall (05:32) provides a contextual backdrop of Elgin during the 1970s, highlighting a significantly higher crime rate compared to contemporary figures. He cites FBI statistics showing Elgin had 2,659 violent crimes in 1972 with a population of 55,000, compared to 1,293 violent crimes in 2021 with nearly 115,000 residents—a 49% decrease over the decades.

Detective Houghton (06:09) adds depth by discussing crime rates per 100,000 residents, revealing that Elgin's violent crime rate in 1972 was almost 77% higher than today. He underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement at the time, noting the limited number of sworn officers (far fewer than the current 195) grappling with higher crime rates.

Technological Limitations and Law Enforcement Challenges

Detective Hall (06:50) elaborates on the technological constraints of the 1970s, such as the absence of video surveillance, cell phones, social media, and readily accessible databases. He explains the reliance on manual information gathering and the slow coordination with federal agencies like the FBI.

Detective Houghton (07:48) discusses the nascent stage of forensic science during the 1970s. Unlike today’s advanced DNA profiling, law enforcement then relied on blood type matching and other basic tests. The lack of DNA technology limited the ability to conclusively solve cases, emphasizing the importance of revisiting old evidence with modern techniques.

Elgin's Homicide Clearance Rates

Detective Hall (08:56) highlights Elgin's impressive homicide clearance rate in the 1970s, with 27 murders and only five unsolved cases—an 81% clearance rate. This is contrasted with the national average, which saw a decline from 85% in 1970 to 70% in 1979, and further to 58% in 2024.

Detective Houghton (09:21) reinforces the significance of maintaining dedicated cold case units, citing the increasing trend of unsolved homicides nationally. He praises the establishment of the Elgin Police Department Cold Case Unit in 2024 as a proactive measure to address these challenges.

Case Study: The Murder of Guadalupe Alanis (1971)

Background of Guadalupe Alanis

Detective Houghton (10:34) introduces Guadalupe Alanis, a 35-year-old Hispanic man born in Michoacán, Mexico. At the time of his murder in 1971, he lived in the 600 block of Raymond Street with his wife, Eliza, and worked as the assistant foreman at the Woodruff and Edwards Foundry.

Detective Hall (12:08) describes the foundry's operations, noting its historical significance and the demanding manual labor involved. The foundry, which closed in 1987 and was demolished in 1990, has since become Foundry Park along the Fox River.

The Conflict and Murder

Detective Houghton (12:23) discusses the challenges in investigating Guadalupe's murder due to the foundry's demolition. The detectives rely on old photographs and limited crime scene documentation to reconstruct the homicide.

Detective Hall (13:28) reveals that Guadalupe was not the first victim linked to the foundry. In February 1969, a large fight involving nine men, including Guadalupe, occurred at the site. Despite Guadalupe’s denial of involvement, he was later suspected in the June 1969 disappearance and subsequent murder of fellow worker Lucas Garcia, whose body was found in a water raceway.

Detective Houghton (15:20) explores the evidence suggesting Guadalupe's possible motive for murdering Lucas, including threats made towards Garcia and allegations of theft and document forgery related to immigrant workers. However, due to the limitations of forensic technology at the time, the case remained circumstantial and unresolved.

Escalation of Violence

Detective Hall (18:05) details the continued violence surrounding the foundry, including a pipe bomb attack on the Garcia family and a Molotov cocktail incident targeting another employee's home. These events intensified the tensions and placed Guadalupe amidst ongoing conflicts.

Detective Houghton (19:13) mentions Joseph Garcia, an eyewitness to Guadalupe's murder, who was later killed in November 1971. While a suspect was arrested and convicted for Joseph's murder, his connection to Guadalupe's case remains unconfirmed.

Conclusion and Call for Public Assistance

Detective Hall (21:54) notes the challenges in locating Guadalupe's family and friends after fifty years. He appeals to listeners for any information regarding Guadalupe or the related 1969 murder of Lucas Garcia, emphasizing that public tips are crucial for solving cold cases.

Detective Houghton (22:56) previews the next episode, which will examine the 1975 murder of Maynard Chester Holley, a dispatcher for the Yellow Cab Company, marking another chapter in Elgin's tumultuous 1970s.

Closing Remarks

Chief Anna Lally (23:35) reiterates the Elgin Police Department's commitment to solving cold cases and invites anyone with information to contact the department via email or phone. She also directs listeners to the Elgin Police Department's Transparency Hub for detailed information on all cold cases.

Notable Quotes

• Detective Houghton (02:31): "We believe that the Elgin Police Department and our community can work together to bring closure to cold cases because we know that in these cases, somebody knows something."

• Detective Hall (05:32): "Elgin was a very different city than it is today. In the 1970s, the crime rate was significantly higher."

• Detective Houghton (06:09): "The violent crime rate in Elgin in 1972 was almost 77% higher than it is today. That is a huge difference, and it creates unique challenges for law enforcement in the 1970s."

• Detective Hall (16:04): "Victims in homicide cases sometimes are involved in criminal activity or, frankly, risky lifestyles. But every homicide is a tragedy, and every victim deserves justice in their case."

• Detective Houghton (20:23): "The two-year anniversary date that they reported him missing to the police would certainly be something we would take into consideration."

Conclusion

Episode 1 of Season Two, "Murder at the Foundry (1971)," delves deep into the violent history surrounding the Woodruff and Edwards Foundry in 1970s Elgin. Through meticulous investigation and collaboration with the community, Detectives Houghton and Hall seek to unravel the complexities of Guadalupe Alanis's murder and its connection to other unresolved cases. The episode underscores the evolution of law enforcement challenges and the enduring quest for justice in cold cases.

If you have any information regarding Guadalupe Alanis, Lucas Garcia, or the related incidents at the Woodruff and Edwards Foundry, please reach out to the Elgin Police Department's Cold Case Unit at ColdCaseTips@elginil.gov or call 1-847-289-COLD.