A search for two missing brothers and their father ends in tragedy. They were found dead in downstate Putnam County, after an apparent double murder-suicide.
Duncan Connolly, 9, and Jack Connolly, 7, were last seen on March 9th, leaving for a weekend visit with their father. Michael Connolly took the boys and never returned. For 3 weeks, authorities tracked the case tirelessly in suburban Chicago, where the family has relatives. Investigators also followed up on leads in Tennessee, Indiana, and Virginia.
A 911 call reporting a suspicious car in rural downstate Putnam County ended the search, Sunday evening. The boys were found dead in the backseat of their father's car. Michael's body was found nearby. Police say he killed the boys, then took his own life.
Michael Connolly went through a messy divorce with the boys' mother, Amy Leichtenberg. She claims he was abusive and threatened suicide. She also says she begged a McLean County judge not to grant Michael unsupervised visits with the children.
"I feel that the judicial system failed me. I pray that the courts listen to the warnings from other parents like me," Liechtenberg said in a statement.
Authorities confirm there were continuing visitation issues with Michael, resulting in the McLean County State's Attorney's Office taking criminal actions against him.
This is truly heartbreaking for everyone involved. Do you think courts should to do more to protect victims of domestic abuse? Post a message here.
Comments (1)
James Souk, the judge who decided that Michael Connolly should be allowed unsupervised visits with the two children culminating in their deaths, was the prosecuting attorney in the wrongful conviction of Alan Beaman. Beaman's conviction was overturned earlier this year by the Illinois State Supreme Court, but not until he wasted 13 years of his life behind bars. So this is two HUGE MASSIVE ERRORS by James Souk! How many more must we tolerate? How many more lives must be ruined or snuffed out? James Souk needs to be out of the justice business. He has proven himself not only incompetent, but dangerous.
Posted by Pissed off citizen | April 1, 2009 3:48 PM
Posted on April 1, 2009 15:48