Lyons police officials announced on Thursday, April 7, that Michael Lelko, a 45-year-old man suspected of concealing the deaths of his sister and mother nearly a year after their bodies were found buried in the backyard of their suburban Chicago home, has been arrested on felony charges.
Lyons Police Chief Thomas Herion said that Lelko would be formally charged with two felony counts of concealment of a death. Herion told the Associated Press that a federal investigation is also ongoing that could lead to Lelko facing federal charges connected to his alleged cashing of his mom's monthly $1,000 Social Security checks for years after her death.
According to Herion, Lelko was not charged with the deaths of his 79-year-old mother, Jean Lelko, and 44-year-old sister Jennifer Lelko since the medical examiner's office could not determine how either one of them passed away.
John Lelko could also face obstruction charges
Herion also told reporters that Michael's 41-year-old brother remains the subject of a police investigation, but he had not been charged as of Thursday afternoon. Both Lelko brothers remained in custody on Thursday, and Herion said that if John Lelko was not charged within the next 48 hours, he would be released from custody.
Herion said John could face obstruction charges. He initially told the police that his mother and sister were both alive and living elsewhere, even though he knew they were already dead.
According to the New York Post, the shocking announcement comes about eight months after police discovered the bodies of Jean and Jennifer in the backyard during a well-being check at the Lelko residence. Both of their bodies were buried in plastic tubs sealed with duct tape.
When asked about the deaths, Michael Lelko told police that his mother Jean had died in 2015 after his sister Jennifer pushed her down the stairs. Regarding his sister, Michael said he buried her in the yard in 2019 after she became ill and died.
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Michael Lelko's COVID-19 story does not add up regarding his sister's death
Police knew something was amiss with Lelko's story after saying that his sister had died of COVID-19. Herion said he did not believe COVID-19 existed in 2019 and that Illinois officials have said they believe the first death in Illinois due to COVID-19 happened in March 2020.
Herion said that when he interviewed Michael, he admitted that he buried his mother and sister in the yard, but he did not give any statements about whether he participated.
Herion said charges were not filed against Lelko for several months because the bodies found in the residence were not positively identified until this year. Both Lelko brothers were taken into custody when the bodies were discovered, but they were released without being charged.
CNN reported that the charges filed against Lelko mark the last chapter in a story that began with a check of the house after it was determined there was no running water in the residence. Lelko's home is located in Lyons, about 14 miles southwest of Chicago.
