True Crime Garage: Lane Bryant Murders 2026 /// Part 1

Original Release: January 14, 2026
Hosts: Nic & The Captain

Overview

This episode marks a fresh, in-depth revisit of the infamous Lane Bryant murders, which occurred on February 2, 2008, in Tinley Park, Illinois. The hosts, Nic and the Captain, break down the chain of events from that tragic day: a man posing as a delivery person entered a Lane Bryant clothing store, took six women hostage, and ultimately shot them—killing five and critically wounding one. This case remains unsolved despite dogged investigations and public appeals. The hosts scrutinize the crime, explore theories, outline investigative gaps, and emphasize the continued need for public assistance in solving this chilling cold case.

Key Points & Discussion

Setting the Scene: Tinley Park & Lane Bryant

Location Details (07:10–09:30)
- Tinley Park is a suburb of Chicago, Cook County, with a population under 56,000. Before 2008, the area had little to no history of violent crime.
- The Lane Bryant store was part of a relatively new shopping center (Brookside Marketplace, built 2005), making the store somewhat isolated with undeveloped storefronts nearby.
- Store specifics: about 23,000 sq ft, typical big-box fashion retailer but smaller than Walmart/Target; more like a Kohl’s. The store is no longer in operation.
- Quote:
  "Tinley Park, not unlike so many other wonderful cities and suburbs, is not a place that typically sees this level of violence and homicides." — Nic (07:40)

The Crime Unfolds

Timeline of Events (09:40–21:00)
- 10:08 am: Suspect enters, posing as a delivery man with fake papers, and engages employees.
- First Actions:
  The man chats with Rhoda McFarland (store manager) and “Martha” (the only surviving victim—pseudonym to protect her identity). He asks about a delivery.
- More Victims: Two customers enter, are held up, and taken to the small employee breakroom. Later, two other women arrive and are also taken hostage.
- Binding & Robbery: All victims are bound with duct tape. The suspect robs the women of cash and personal belongings, even using store items (panties) to blindfold them.
- Escalation: At some point, Connie Woolfolk (customer) resists and is physically assaulted. She gets blood under her fingernails, presumed to be from the suspect.
- Quote:
  "At some point she must have had a physical altercation with the suspect. We know this because she is found with additional injuries... She also had blood under her fingernails which is believed to have come from the suspect." — Nic (13:17)

Attempted 911 Call & Shootings

Brave Call for Help (15:45–18:30)
- Store manager Rhoda McFarland manages to place a 911 call via Bluetooth, whispering details despite being bound.
- 911 Call Details:
  "Lane Bryant...Tinley Park...Hurry."
  — Rhoda McFarland, as described by Nic (16:15)
- The suspect grows increasingly agitated, shouting, "I'm losing it." as caught on the 911 recording.
- Officers are dispatched, some only 200 yards away.
- 10:46 am: The suspect shoots all six women “execution style.” Rhoda is shot in the forehead; others in the back of the head.
- “Martha” survives by moving her head at the last moment as she is shot, and plays dead until police arrive.
- 10:48 am: Suspect flees out the front door; seen on surveillance: black SUV and sedan leaving the parking lot.
- Police Arrive: Within two minutes, but the killer is gone.
- Quote:
  "This is not going as he had planned. And if someone was going to pay for it, it was going to be those women on the floor." — Nic (15:57)
- Quote:
  "She too had been shot and left for dead. But she tricked the killer by moving her head at the last second and was shot in the neck. She, Martha then played dead until police arrived." — Nic (20:11)

Immediate Investigation & Media

Investigative Response (29:54–31:02)
- Massive law enforcement presence: Eight departments, helicopters, door-to-door vehicle searches. But challenges include a huge parking lot, many cars, and proximity to I-80.
- Some criticism of Lane Bryant for the lack of security cameras or adequate employee protection.
- Quote:
  "Shame on you, Lane Bryant... You're putting up a store in 2006...put some cameras up there... what we would have is more information about who this guy is." — Nic (27:12)

Details about the Suspect

Suspect Description (12:54, 48:51, 50:11)
- Black male, 5’8”–6’0”, stocky/“husky” build (230–260 lbs.), age approx. 25–35
- Broad shoulders, clean-shaven, medium complexion.
- Cornrowed hair with receding hairline; distinctive braid with four light green beads over right cheek.
- Wore black jeans with embroidery, rhinestones on rear pocket; black jacket; charcoal gray knit cap.
- Spoke and behaved in a way that suggested some planning but also signs of agitation and loss of control.
- Notable: He took tape and gun with him, but bound victims with tape and used store clothing as blindfolds.
- Quote:
  "The suspect is well groomed and known to have one braid laying over the right side of his face at cheek level that had four light green beads on the end of the braid." — Nic (49:23)

Theories and Unanswered Questions

Was It a Robbery Gone Wrong or More? (16:43, 42:37)
- Did the plan go off the rails due to unexpected resistance and police arrival?
- Did the killer intend to leave no witnesses from the start or decide only when things escalated?
- Potential involvement of partners: cameras caught two black vehicles leaving the parking lot; no eyewitness accounts post-crime.
- Surviving witness under strict protection; public initially misled to believe there were no survivors for her safety.
- Possibility of prior planning: suspect arrived 8 minutes after opening, seemed to case store for cameras.

The Victims

Victim Profiles (32:20–36:50)
- Rhoda McFarland (42): Store manager, Air Force veteran, local pastor, engaged, shot in forehead while calling 911.
- Jenny Lynn Bishop (34): Nurse, customer from out of state, celebrating a birthday, mother of three.
- Sarah Safranski (22): Youngest, recent graduate, shopping for work clothes.
- Connie Woolfolk: Fought back, physically assaulted, blood under her fingernails likely from suspect.
- Carrie Chiuso (33): Social worker, newly married.
- Martha (pseudonym): Only survivor, part-time employee, shot in neck, played dead until rescue.
- Quote:
  "The survivor does not live in the area anymore and has not for a long time, but does stay in constant contact with police whenever she is needed." — Nic (32:27)
- Martha’s statement (59:06):
  "During the unfathomable events of that day, their thoughts were focused on you and coming home. My heart aches that they were unable to do so..." — Surviving victim

Physical Evidence

DNA & Forensics (35:59)
- Possible DNA evidence collected (blood under Connie’s fingernails), but not confirmed; police have been tight-lipped.
- Some fingerprints retrieved. Hope remains with advances in forensic technology.
- No mask worn by suspect; leads to speculation about his original plan (to kill witnesses or not?).
- Quote:
  "They've always been a little cagey about that. We don't have 100% confirmation that they have DNA. I believe that they do." — Nic (36:14)

Investigative Hurdles & Press Releases

Sensitive Information (50:29–52:10)
- Tinley Park PD has released limited information, repeatedly emphasizing the sensitivity of certain evidence to protect the investigation's integrity.
- Reward started at $50,000, later upped to $100,000—unclear if Lane Bryant is still backing the reward in 2026.
- Calls for public help remain as critical as ever.

Notable Quotes & Moments

Suspect’s Outburst Caught on 911 tape:
"I'm losing it." — Suspect, described by Nic (16:24)
On survivor “Martha” playing dead:
"She tricked the killer by moving her head at the last second and was shot in the neck. Martha then played dead until police arrived." — Nic (20:11)
On what deters this kind of crime:
"Put in surveillance cameras and make sure it's of decent quality." — Captain (28:37)
On uncertainty about motive:
"I think it's very likely this guy was prepared to kill if he had to, but I don't think he planned to kill." — Nic (57:03)
Survivor’s Letter (Read aloud, 59:06):
"On Saturday, February 2nd, an unspeakable tragedy occurred and five of the bravest women I have ever met were senselessly murdered and taken from their families... Please know that during the unfathomable events of that day, their thoughts were focused on you and coming home..."

Important Timestamps

[07:10] — Introduction to Tinley Park and the store
[09:40] — Suspect enters, prelude to the crime
[10:49] — Victim gathering and the back room details
[15:25] — 911 call specifics, escalation in violence
[18:05] — Police arrive, shooting takes place
[20:11] — Survivor “Martha’s” actions
[29:54] — Crime scene search, challenges for investigators
[32:20] — Victim profiles and personal stories
[36:14] — DNA/fingerprint discussion
[46:32] — Suspect’s preparation: brought gun, tape, but no mask
[50:11] — Police suspect description update
[59:06] — Reading of the surviving victim’s public statement

Continued Unsolved & Call for Tips

Despite extensive investigation, substantial rewards, and one surviving witness, the Lane Bryant killer remains unidentified and at large. The hosts urge listeners—especially those with any credible piece of information from the relevant area or time—to contact Tinley Park Police or use the provided tipline. They stress that someone, somewhere, knows the killer’s identity.

Tip Hotline: 708-444-5394
Email: lanebryant.tipline@tinleypark.org

Tone & Style

Nic and the Captain blend deep empathy for the victims and survivors with their signature frank, sometimes irreverent banter. The analysis is methodical but accessible: both hosts encourage armchair detective scrutiny, question established narratives, and are comfortable second-guessing investigative decisions—always with an emphasis on sensitivity, especially regarding the survivor.

What’s Next

Part 2 promises a continued “deeper dive” into theories and overlooked angles in the Lane Bryant murders. The hosts will explore planning, motives, possible accomplices, and new information gleaned since their original 2018 series.

End of Summary (Part 1)

True Crime Garage: Lane Bryant Murders 2026 /// Part 1

Original Release: January 14, 2026
Hosts: Nic & The Captain

Overview

Key Points & Discussion

Setting the Scene: Tinley Park & Lane Bryant

Location Details (07:10–09:30)
- Tinley Park is a suburb of Chicago, Cook County, with a population under 56,000. Before 2008, the area had little to no history of violent crime.
- The Lane Bryant store was part of a relatively new shopping center (Brookside Marketplace, built 2005), making the store somewhat isolated with undeveloped storefronts nearby.
- Store specifics: about 23,000 sq ft, typical big-box fashion retailer but smaller than Walmart/Target; more like a Kohl’s. The store is no longer in operation.
- Quote:
  "Tinley Park, not unlike so many other wonderful cities and suburbs, is not a place that typically sees this level of violence and homicides." — Nic (07:40)

The Crime Unfolds

Timeline of Events (09:40–21:00)
- 10:08 am: Suspect enters, posing as a delivery man with fake papers, and engages employees.
- First Actions:
  The man chats with Rhoda McFarland (store manager) and “Martha” (the only surviving victim—pseudonym to protect her identity). He asks about a delivery.
- More Victims: Two customers enter, are held up, and taken to the small employee breakroom. Later, two other women arrive and are also taken hostage.
- Binding & Robbery: All victims are bound with duct tape. The suspect robs the women of cash and personal belongings, even using store items (panties) to blindfold them.
- Escalation: At some point, Connie Woolfolk (customer) resists and is physically assaulted. She gets blood under her fingernails, presumed to be from the suspect.
- Quote:
  "At some point she must have had a physical altercation with the suspect. We know this because she is found with additional injuries... She also had blood under her fingernails which is believed to have come from the suspect." — Nic (13:17)

Attempted 911 Call & Shootings

Brave Call for Help (15:45–18:30)
- Store manager Rhoda McFarland manages to place a 911 call via Bluetooth, whispering details despite being bound.
- 911 Call Details:
  "Lane Bryant...Tinley Park...Hurry."
  — Rhoda McFarland, as described by Nic (16:15)
- The suspect grows increasingly agitated, shouting, "I'm losing it." as caught on the 911 recording.
- Officers are dispatched, some only 200 yards away.
- 10:46 am: The suspect shoots all six women “execution style.” Rhoda is shot in the forehead; others in the back of the head.
- “Martha” survives by moving her head at the last moment as she is shot, and plays dead until police arrive.
- 10:48 am: Suspect flees out the front door; seen on surveillance: black SUV and sedan leaving the parking lot.
- Police Arrive: Within two minutes, but the killer is gone.
- Quote:
  "This is not going as he had planned. And if someone was going to pay for it, it was going to be those women on the floor." — Nic (15:57)
- Quote:
  "She too had been shot and left for dead. But she tricked the killer by moving her head at the last second and was shot in the neck. She, Martha then played dead until police arrived." — Nic (20:11)

Immediate Investigation & Media

Investigative Response (29:54–31:02)
- Massive law enforcement presence: Eight departments, helicopters, door-to-door vehicle searches. But challenges include a huge parking lot, many cars, and proximity to I-80.
- Some criticism of Lane Bryant for the lack of security cameras or adequate employee protection.
- Quote:
  "Shame on you, Lane Bryant... You're putting up a store in 2006...put some cameras up there... what we would have is more information about who this guy is." — Nic (27:12)

Details about the Suspect

Suspect Description (12:54, 48:51, 50:11)
- Black male, 5’8”–6’0”, stocky/“husky” build (230–260 lbs.), age approx. 25–35
- Broad shoulders, clean-shaven, medium complexion.
- Cornrowed hair with receding hairline; distinctive braid with four light green beads over right cheek.
- Wore black jeans with embroidery, rhinestones on rear pocket; black jacket; charcoal gray knit cap.
- Spoke and behaved in a way that suggested some planning but also signs of agitation and loss of control.
- Notable: He took tape and gun with him, but bound victims with tape and used store clothing as blindfolds.
- Quote:
  "The suspect is well groomed and known to have one braid laying over the right side of his face at cheek level that had four light green beads on the end of the braid." — Nic (49:23)

Theories and Unanswered Questions

Was It a Robbery Gone Wrong or More? (16:43, 42:37)
- Did the plan go off the rails due to unexpected resistance and police arrival?
- Did the killer intend to leave no witnesses from the start or decide only when things escalated?
- Potential involvement of partners: cameras caught two black vehicles leaving the parking lot; no eyewitness accounts post-crime.
- Surviving witness under strict protection; public initially misled to believe there were no survivors for her safety.
- Possibility of prior planning: suspect arrived 8 minutes after opening, seemed to case store for cameras.

The Victims

Victim Profiles (32:20–36:50)
- Rhoda McFarland (42): Store manager, Air Force veteran, local pastor, engaged, shot in forehead while calling 911.
- Jenny Lynn Bishop (34): Nurse, customer from out of state, celebrating a birthday, mother of three.
- Sarah Safranski (22): Youngest, recent graduate, shopping for work clothes.
- Connie Woolfolk: Fought back, physically assaulted, blood under her fingernails likely from suspect.
- Carrie Chiuso (33): Social worker, newly married.
- Martha (pseudonym): Only survivor, part-time employee, shot in neck, played dead until rescue.
- Quote:
  "The survivor does not live in the area anymore and has not for a long time, but does stay in constant contact with police whenever she is needed." — Nic (32:27)
- Martha’s statement (59:06):
  "During the unfathomable events of that day, their thoughts were focused on you and coming home. My heart aches that they were unable to do so..." — Surviving victim

Physical Evidence

DNA & Forensics (35:59)
- Possible DNA evidence collected (blood under Connie’s fingernails), but not confirmed; police have been tight-lipped.
- Some fingerprints retrieved. Hope remains with advances in forensic technology.
- No mask worn by suspect; leads to speculation about his original plan (to kill witnesses or not?).
- Quote:
  "They've always been a little cagey about that. We don't have 100% confirmation that they have DNA. I believe that they do." — Nic (36:14)

Investigative Hurdles & Press Releases

Sensitive Information (50:29–52:10)
- Tinley Park PD has released limited information, repeatedly emphasizing the sensitivity of certain evidence to protect the investigation's integrity.
- Reward started at $50,000, later upped to $100,000—unclear if Lane Bryant is still backing the reward in 2026.
- Calls for public help remain as critical as ever.

Notable Quotes & Moments

Suspect’s Outburst Caught on 911 tape:
"I'm losing it." — Suspect, described by Nic (16:24)
On survivor “Martha” playing dead:
"She tricked the killer by moving her head at the last second and was shot in the neck. Martha then played dead until police arrived." — Nic (20:11)
On what deters this kind of crime:
"Put in surveillance cameras and make sure it's of decent quality." — Captain (28:37)
On uncertainty about motive:
"I think it's very likely this guy was prepared to kill if he had to, but I don't think he planned to kill." — Nic (57:03)
Survivor’s Letter (Read aloud, 59:06):
"On Saturday, February 2nd, an unspeakable tragedy occurred and five of the bravest women I have ever met were senselessly murdered and taken from their families... Please know that during the unfathomable events of that day, their thoughts were focused on you and coming home..."

Important Timestamps

[07:10] — Introduction to Tinley Park and the store
[09:40] — Suspect enters, prelude to the crime
[10:49] — Victim gathering and the back room details
[15:25] — 911 call specifics, escalation in violence
[18:05] — Police arrive, shooting takes place
[20:11] — Survivor “Martha’s” actions
[29:54] — Crime scene search, challenges for investigators
[32:20] — Victim profiles and personal stories
[36:14] — DNA/fingerprint discussion
[46:32] — Suspect’s preparation: brought gun, tape, but no mask
[50:11] — Police suspect description update
[59:06] — Reading of the surviving victim’s public statement

Continued Unsolved & Call for Tips

Tip Hotline: 708-444-5394
Email: lanebryant.tipline@tinleypark.org

Tone & Style

What’s Next

End of Summary (Part 1)

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Lane Bryant Murders 2026 /// Part 1

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Summary

True Crime Garage: Lane Bryant Murders 2026 /// Part 1

Overview

Key Points & Discussion

Setting the Scene: Tinley Park & Lane Bryant

The Crime Unfolds

Attempted 911 Call & Shootings

Immediate Investigation & Media

Details about the Suspect

Theories and Unanswered Questions

The Victims

Physical Evidence

Investigative Hurdles & Press Releases

Notable Quotes & Moments

Important Timestamps

Continued Unsolved & Call for Tips

Tone & Style

What’s Next

Summary

True Crime Garage: Lane Bryant Murders 2026 /// Part 1

Overview

Key Points & Discussion

Setting the Scene: Tinley Park & Lane Bryant

The Crime Unfolds

Attempted 911 Call & Shootings

Immediate Investigation & Media

Details about the Suspect

Theories and Unanswered Questions

The Victims

Physical Evidence

Investigative Hurdles & Press Releases

Notable Quotes & Moments

Important Timestamps

Continued Unsolved & Call for Tips

Tone & Style

What’s Next