WHEATON – DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett and Villa Park Police Chief John Payne today announced that First Degree Murder charges have been filed against Christy Lentz, 32, of Glen Ellyn for the murder of her father Michael Lentz, 58, of Winfield.  Lentz is also charged with Concealment of a Homicidal Death and Obstruction of Justice.

            In late May, 2006 Michael Lentz was reported missing by his two daughters.  Earlier this week an investigation into his disappearance led Police to his family-owned business located in Villa Park.  Upon their arrival, police noticed a foul odor throughout the building, which had been closed for several weeks citing a family emergency.  Upon further investigation police discovered Mr. Lentz’s body in a garbage drum.  He had been shot twice in the head. 

            “The Villa Park Police Department, members of the Major Crimes Task Force, the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office and members of my staff have been working around the clock to solve this crime,” commented Birkett.  “I would like to thank them all for their extended efforts through the course of this investigation.  Christy Lentz will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of law for this brutal crime.”

Lentz is expected to appear in bond court in Wheaton tomorrow morning. 

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.

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