North Aurora woman's 1979 murder solved, linked to serial killer Bruce Lindahl

Authorities confirmed that DNA testing solved a 45-year-old cold case in Kane County.

The Kane County State's Attorney, along with the mayor of North Aurora, the police chief and others shared new details connecting long-dead serial killer Bruce Lindahl to a 1979 cold case murder.

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Authorities say DNA proves Lindahl killed North Aurora's Kathy Halle.

Halle disappeared from her apartment complex and her body was later discovered in the Fox River.

In 2020, DNA linked Lindahl to the murder of Pamela Maurer of Woodridge in 1976.

In 2022, authorities found evidence that Lindahl frequented the Northgate Shopping Center, which is where Halle worked at.

After learning about the M-Vac System DNA technology, investigators worked to get Halle's case reopened and eventually solved.

In January 2023, officials worked with DNA Labs International out of Florida and Cook County State's Attorney's office to get the best piece of evidence that would likely get a result.

Thanks to a grant by non-profit Season of Justice, the DNA testing was paid for.

In August of 2024, the lab confirmed that Lindahl's DNA was present on Halle's clothes.

Investigators concluded that the victim was kidnapped from her apartment complex and killed her.

SEE ALSO | Bruce Lindahl victim Annette Lazar describes surviving attack by suspected serial killer, rapist

Lindahl may be responsible for as many as 12 murders and nine rapes in the western suburbs in the 70s and early 80s.

Lindahl died in the early 1980s, when he accidentally killed himself while stabbing another victim in Naperville.