Charges Filed in March Murder of Aurora Teenager

DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett, along with Aurora Police Chief William Lawler, Naperville Police Chief David Dial, Chief Deputy Coroner Peter Seikmann, and DuPage County Sheriff’s Office Lab Director John Collins announced today that Laurence E. Lovejoy, 38 (d.o.b. 3/30/66) has been charged with two (2) counts of First Degree Murder and one (1) count of Criminal Sexual Assault.  These charges are in connection with the March 3rd sexual assault and the March 27th murder of Erin Justice. 

The allegations are that on March 3, 2004, two days after her 16th birthday, Erin Justice was sexually assaulted by her stepfather, Laurence Lovejoy of Matteson, Illinois.  Lovejoy had married Erin’s mother, Valerie Justice, several months prior to the sexual assault.   It is alleged that the assault took place in the couple’s home, which at that time was located at 1812 Michigan, Unit 208, in Naperville.  At the time of the assault, Erin’s mother was at work.  Following the filing of a complaint of this assault with Naperville Police Department, Erin was examined at Edward Hospital in Naperville.  At that time, there was no obvious evidence of trauma or injury, however that fact did not rule out the possibility of sexual assault.  A rape kit obtained at the hospital was submitted for examination to the DuPage County Crime Lab, along with evidence obtained from the home.  Naperville Police did seek approval of Criminal Sexual Assault charges, however based on the evidence available at that time, together with input from Valerie Justice, State’s Attorney staff, including supervisors, declined charges pending the results of the laboratory findings.  The Naperville Police Department and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office recommended an Order of Protection against Lovejoy, pending the outcome of the investigation. 

The defendant and Valerie Justice had purchased a home together in Aurora at 362 Parkridge Lane and closed on that home the day after the alleged sexual assault.  The couple and Erin did move into the home.  While Valerie did not obtain an official Order of Protection, she did take steps to prevent any substantial or unsupervised contact between Erin and the defendant. 

It is alleged that between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on March 27th, the defendant entered the home while Erin was sleeping and her mother was at work.  It is alleged that the defendant, at knifepoint, forced Erin to drink over-the-counter medication containing pseudoephedrine, in an amount that has been associated with fatalities.  It is further alleged that the defendant bludgeoned Erin on the head, and finally stabbed her with a knife, slicing both of her wrists, and then left her naked body in a tub of warm water.  Erin’s body was discovered by her mother when she arrived home.  The Aurora Police Department was notified shortly before 11:00 a.m., and they began an exhaustive investigation.

Working with the DuPage County Coroner’s Office, the Aurora Police Department Evidence Technicians meticulously processed the entire crime scene over a period of days.  More than 200 pieces of physical evidence, including evidence obtained at the autopsy, were submitted for forensic analysis.  Throughout the investigation the Naperville Police Department also assisted in obtaining critical information.  Additionally, relevant evidence was obtained by court order and through the Grand Jury process.   The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab, under the direction of Sheriff John Zaruba and Lab Director John Collins, painstakingly examined each piece of physical evidence in an effort to establish the identity of Erin’s killer. 

These charges today allege that Laurence Lovejoy killed Erin Justice because she had made a complaint of rape against him.  Lovejoy is eligible for the Death Penalty, based upon the murder of a witness/victim.  It is also believed that this murder was committed pursuant to a pre-meditated, cold, and calculated plan to take human life, which also, if proven, qualifies him for the Death Penalty. 

Valerie Justice and her family were notified in the early morning hours today of Lovejoy’s arrest at his workplace, Caterpillar Tractor Company, in Montgomery, Illinois.  Valerie is obviously very upset.  She loved her daughter Erin deeply and now must deal with the realization that the man she married is charged with taking her daughter’s life.  Throughout the investigation, Valerie was kept apprised of the progress and cooperated with all requests made of her by law enforcement and the State’s Attorney’s Office.  We are deeply grateful to her for her extraordinary efforts.

“Erin Justice was a beautiful, talented, and loving 16 year old girl,” commented State’s Attorney Birkett.  “She had a wonderful life in front of her.  We will do everything in our power to ensure that this murder is prosecuted to the fullest extent that the law will allow.  Our sympathies go out to Valerie, her family, and to all of her many friends who have been traumatized by this entire event.”

State’s Attorney Birkett thanked the Aurora Police Department, the Naperville Police Department, the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office and Crime Laboratory, as well as members of the DuPage County Coroner’s Office for their outstanding efforts in this investigation.  He further thanked Assistant State’s Attorneys Joe Ruggiero, Michael Pawl and Patrick Weiland as well as Investigators Cheryl York and David Hamm of his office for their efforts in this case.  Finally, Birkett praised the staff of Edward Hospital in Naperville for the support they provided to the Naperville Police Department, their professionalism, and for the compassion they gave to Erin Justice.

Lovejoy was transported to the DuPage County Jail in Wheaton early this morning.  He appeared in bond court and is now being held without bail.  He is next scheduled to appear in court on September 13th at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 4010 before Judge Michael Burke.

State’s Attorney Birkett asked that the media please respect Valerie Justice’s privacy, and that she not be contacted for interviews or confronted with cameras. 

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.