Brown's Chicken Massacre
Mass Murder at Fast Food Restaurant
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Palatine, Illinois
TIME PERIOD
January 8, 1993
VICTIMS
7 confirmed
On January 8, 1993, a mass murder occurred at the Brown's Chicken & Pasta restaurant located at 168 West Northwest Highway in Palatine, Illinois, where two armed robbers shot and killed seven individuals, including the restaurant owners, Richard and Lynn Ehlenfeldt, and five employees, among them two high school students. The assailants, Juan Luna and James Degorski, executed the victims in two walk-in freezers, employing a .38-caliber revolver and a knife, before stealing approximately $1,800. The case remained unsolved for nearly nine years until DNA evidence linked Luna to the crime, leading to his conviction in 2007, followed by Degorski's conviction in 2009, with both receiving life sentences without the possibility of parole. The investigation revealed meticulous efforts by the assailants to cover their tracks, including the removal of shell casings and the disruption of the restaurant's power supply, which left the clock frozen at 9:52 PM.
Theories surrounding the Brown's Chicken massacre include the belief that the crime was primarily motivated by robbery, but also involved the elimination of witnesses, as all seven victims were killed. Some speculate that the assailants may have had prior knowledge of the restaurant's operations and staff, suggesting a level of premeditation. Additionally, there are theories regarding the relationship between the suspects and the victims, particularly the idea that personal grievances may have played a role in the brutal nature of the crime.
Brown's Chicken Massacre: A Night of Horror in Palatine
On a frigid January evening in 1993, the bustling suburban town of Palatine, Illinois, became the backdrop for a gruesome crime that would haunt the community for years to come. The Brown's Chicken massacre, a chilling blend of armed robbery and mass murder, unfolded at a small fast-food restaurant, leaving seven innocent employees dead and a community reeling in shock and fear.
The Incident
It was January 8, 1993, when two men entered the Brown's Chicken & Pasta at 168 West Northwest Highway, Palatine. As the night wore on, their sinister intentions became horrifyingly clear. By the time they left, the restaurant was a house of horrors. Seven victims, including the owners, Richard E. Ehlenfeldt, 50, and his wife, Lynn A. Ehlenfeldt, 49, along with five employees—Guadalupe Maldonado, 46, Michael C. Castro, 16, Rico L. Solis, 17, Thomas Mennes, 32, and Marcus Nellsen, 31—lay lifeless in two walk-in freezers. Many were shot multiple times, and Lynn Ehlenfeldt’s throat had been slashed before a final bullet ended her life. Michael Castro, a Palatine High School student working part-time, was stabbed after being shot.
The perpetrators discharged 21 rounds in their deadly spree, meticulously covering their tracks by collecting shell casings, mopping up blood, and cutting off power, which left the restaurant’s clock frozen at 9:52 PM. They escaped with a paltry sum of $1,800 to $1,900, roughly equivalent to $4,027 today.
Discovery of the Crime
That night, two of the Ehlenfeldts' daughters were supposed to be at the restaurant but, by a twist of fate, were not present during the massacre. However, concern grew when Michael Castro’s parents called the police, worried about their son’s unexplained absence. Guadalupe Maldonado’s wife, noticing her husband's car still in the parking lot long after closing, also reached out to authorities. Responding officers found the rear employees’ door ajar and discovered the chilling scene inside. More than five hours after the restaurant’s closing time, the bodies were found—some face-up, others face-down—in the cold confines of the freezers. The final transaction recorded was a four-piece meal at 9:08 PM.
The Perpetrators
The investigation into this heinous crime would drag on for over nine years, with little progress and mounting frustration. It wasn't until March 2002 that a breakthrough arrived. Anne Lockett, a former girlfriend of one of the assailants, came forward, implicating James Degorski and his childhood friend, Juan Luna. Both had attended William Fremd High School and Luna had once worked at the very restaurant where the massacre took place.
Luna’s DNA sealed his fate. In a twist of forensic ingenuity, a partially eaten piece of chicken found at the crime scene was tested. Despite having thawed multiple times over the years, the chicken yielded a DNA match to Luna, leading to his arrest on May 16, 2002. Luna confessed during interrogation but later claimed coercion, with his legal team alleging threats against his family, who were Mexican nationals. Degorski, too, confessed, but his defense echoed similar claims of duress.
Trials and Convictions
Justice moved slowly but surely. On May 10, 2007, Juan Luna was convicted of all seven counts of murder. Although the prosecution sought the death penalty, the jury's 11-1 vote fell short of the unanimity needed. Instead, Luna was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. Attempts to revoke his naturalized citizenship in 2017 were thwarted by the courts.
James Degorski’s trial concluded on September 29, 2009, with a guilty verdict for all seven counts of murder. Key testimony from Anne Lockett and Eileen Bakalla, who claimed Degorski confessed to them separately, played a significant role. On October 20, 2009, Degorski was sentenced to life without parole, the jury narrowly missing the death penalty with a vote of all but two in favor.
Aftermath and Appeals
The massacre left an indelible mark on the Brown's Chicken franchise, resulting in a sharp decline in sales and the closure of 100 restaurants in the Chicago area. The original building was razed in 2001, and a Chase Bank now stands in its place.
Life behind bars brought its own drama. In 2014, Degorski was awarded $451,000 for a civil rights violation after a brutal beating by a Sheriff’s deputy in Cook County Jail. Despite appeals in 2016 and 2022, where Degorski claimed Luna acted alone and questioned Lockett’s credibility, his convictions stood firm.
The Long Shadow
The Brown's Chicken massacre remains a chilling reminder of the fragility of life and the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of ordinary places. Today, Juan Luna resides at the Danville Correctional Center, while James Degorski is held at the Graham Correctional Center, following the closure of Stateville Correctional Center in 2025.
This tale of tragedy, justice, and the relentless pursuit of truth continues to echo through the halls of criminal history, serving as both a cautionary tale and a testament to the enduring quest for justice.
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Brown's Chicken Massacre
Two robbers shot and killed seven employees at Brown's Chicken restaurant.
Suspects Identified
Anne Lockett implicates James Degorski and Juan Luna in the murders.
DNA Evidence Found
Police match DNA from the crime scene to Juan Luna.
Arrests Made
Juan Luna and James Degorski are taken into custody by police.
Luna Convicted
Juan Luna is found guilty of seven counts of first degree murder.
Degorski Convicted
James Degorski is found guilty of all seven counts of murder.
Degorski Sentenced
James Degorski is sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Luna Sentenced
Juan Luna is sentenced to life in prison without parole.
On January 8, 1993, a mass murder occurred at the Brown's Chicken & Pasta restaurant located at 168 West Northwest Highway in Palatine, Illinois, where two armed robbers shot and killed seven individuals, including the restaurant owners, Richard and Lynn Ehlenfeldt, and five employees, among them two high school students. The assailants, Juan Luna and James Degorski, executed the victims in two walk-in freezers, employing a .38-caliber revolver and a knife, before stealing approximately $1,800. The case remained unsolved for nearly nine years until DNA evidence linked Luna to the crime, leading to his conviction in 2007, followed by Degorski's conviction in 2009, with both receiving life sentences without the possibility of parole. The investigation revealed meticulous efforts by the assailants to cover their tracks, including the removal of shell casings and the disruption of the restaurant's power supply, which left the clock frozen at 9:52 PM.
Theories surrounding the Brown's Chicken massacre include the belief that the crime was primarily motivated by robbery, but also involved the elimination of witnesses, as all seven victims were killed. Some speculate that the assailants may have had prior knowledge of the restaurant's operations and staff, suggesting a level of premeditation. Additionally, there are theories regarding the relationship between the suspects and the victims, particularly the idea that personal grievances may have played a role in the brutal nature of the crime.
Brown's Chicken Massacre: A Night of Horror in Palatine
On a frigid January evening in 1993, the bustling suburban town of Palatine, Illinois, became the backdrop for a gruesome crime that would haunt the community for years to come. The Brown's Chicken massacre, a chilling blend of armed robbery and mass murder, unfolded at a small fast-food restaurant, leaving seven innocent employees dead and a community reeling in shock and fear.
The Incident
It was January 8, 1993, when two men entered the Brown's Chicken & Pasta at 168 West Northwest Highway, Palatine. As the night wore on, their sinister intentions became horrifyingly clear. By the time they left, the restaurant was a house of horrors. Seven victims, including the owners, Richard E. Ehlenfeldt, 50, and his wife, Lynn A. Ehlenfeldt, 49, along with five employees—Guadalupe Maldonado, 46, Michael C. Castro, 16, Rico L. Solis, 17, Thomas Mennes, 32, and Marcus Nellsen, 31—lay lifeless in two walk-in freezers. Many were shot multiple times, and Lynn Ehlenfeldt’s throat had been slashed before a final bullet ended her life. Michael Castro, a Palatine High School student working part-time, was stabbed after being shot.
The perpetrators discharged 21 rounds in their deadly spree, meticulously covering their tracks by collecting shell casings, mopping up blood, and cutting off power, which left the restaurant’s clock frozen at 9:52 PM. They escaped with a paltry sum of $1,800 to $1,900, roughly equivalent to $4,027 today.
Discovery of the Crime
That night, two of the Ehlenfeldts' daughters were supposed to be at the restaurant but, by a twist of fate, were not present during the massacre. However, concern grew when Michael Castro’s parents called the police, worried about their son’s unexplained absence. Guadalupe Maldonado’s wife, noticing her husband's car still in the parking lot long after closing, also reached out to authorities. Responding officers found the rear employees’ door ajar and discovered the chilling scene inside. More than five hours after the restaurant’s closing time, the bodies were found—some face-up, others face-down—in the cold confines of the freezers. The final transaction recorded was a four-piece meal at 9:08 PM.
The Perpetrators
The investigation into this heinous crime would drag on for over nine years, with little progress and mounting frustration. It wasn't until March 2002 that a breakthrough arrived. Anne Lockett, a former girlfriend of one of the assailants, came forward, implicating James Degorski and his childhood friend, Juan Luna. Both had attended William Fremd High School and Luna had once worked at the very restaurant where the massacre took place.
Luna’s DNA sealed his fate. In a twist of forensic ingenuity, a partially eaten piece of chicken found at the crime scene was tested. Despite having thawed multiple times over the years, the chicken yielded a DNA match to Luna, leading to his arrest on May 16, 2002. Luna confessed during interrogation but later claimed coercion, with his legal team alleging threats against his family, who were Mexican nationals. Degorski, too, confessed, but his defense echoed similar claims of duress.
Trials and Convictions
Justice moved slowly but surely. On May 10, 2007, Juan Luna was convicted of all seven counts of murder. Although the prosecution sought the death penalty, the jury's 11-1 vote fell short of the unanimity needed. Instead, Luna was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. Attempts to revoke his naturalized citizenship in 2017 were thwarted by the courts.
James Degorski’s trial concluded on September 29, 2009, with a guilty verdict for all seven counts of murder. Key testimony from Anne Lockett and Eileen Bakalla, who claimed Degorski confessed to them separately, played a significant role. On October 20, 2009, Degorski was sentenced to life without parole, the jury narrowly missing the death penalty with a vote of all but two in favor.
Aftermath and Appeals
The massacre left an indelible mark on the Brown's Chicken franchise, resulting in a sharp decline in sales and the closure of 100 restaurants in the Chicago area. The original building was razed in 2001, and a Chase Bank now stands in its place.
Life behind bars brought its own drama. In 2014, Degorski was awarded $451,000 for a civil rights violation after a brutal beating by a Sheriff’s deputy in Cook County Jail. Despite appeals in 2016 and 2022, where Degorski claimed Luna acted alone and questioned Lockett’s credibility, his convictions stood firm.
The Long Shadow
The Brown's Chicken massacre remains a chilling reminder of the fragility of life and the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of ordinary places. Today, Juan Luna resides at the Danville Correctional Center, while James Degorski is held at the Graham Correctional Center, following the closure of Stateville Correctional Center in 2025.
This tale of tragedy, justice, and the relentless pursuit of truth continues to echo through the halls of criminal history, serving as both a cautionary tale and a testament to the enduring quest for justice.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Brown's Chicken Massacre
Two robbers shot and killed seven employees at Brown's Chicken restaurant.
Suspects Identified
Anne Lockett implicates James Degorski and Juan Luna in the murders.
DNA Evidence Found
Police match DNA from the crime scene to Juan Luna.
Arrests Made
Juan Luna and James Degorski are taken into custody by police.
Luna Convicted
Juan Luna is found guilty of seven counts of first degree murder.
Degorski Convicted
James Degorski is found guilty of all seven counts of murder.
Degorski Sentenced
James Degorski is sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Luna Sentenced
Juan Luna is sentenced to life in prison without parole.