ACCUSED MURDERER ROBERT REJDA FOUND DEAD IN CELL

WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett, Sheriff John Zaruba and Coroner Pete Siekman announced today that Robert Rejda, 26 (d.o.b. 8/23/1981) who has been charged with last year’s Christmas murder of Lauren Kiefer of 1 S 348 Myrtle in unincorporated DuPage County, was found today deceased in a cell in the DuPage County Jail.  Rejda had his own cell and no signs of foul play were apparent.  The circumstances of Rejda’s death are under investigation, including the possibility of suicide.

            At Rejda’s last court hearing on December 11, his attorney, Public Defender Robert Miller, indicated that his client wished to plead guilty to all charges and to have the death penalty imposed.  At that time, by agreement of the State and the defense, Judge Michael Burke ordered a fitness evaluation of Rejda, but only as a precaution as there was no indication that Rejda was currently unfit, mentally or physically.  Rejda’s next court appearance was scheduled for January 14, 2008 for the return of the report.

            In addition to the Christmas day home invasion, rape and murder of Lauren Kiefer, Rejda also faced charges of Home Invasion and Rape of another DuPage County woman from October, 2005.  This case was solved by a cold case DNA hit on Rejda’s DNA profile which was entered into the state’s DNA database as the result of a felony traffic conviction in late 2006.

             An autopsy is scheduled for noon tomorrow under the direction of Coroner Siekman.

            Lauren’s family members have been notified of Rejda’s death.  They have no comment at this time and would appreciate respect for their privacy as they now face their first Christmas without Lauren.  Rejda’s other victim also asked that her privacy be respected as well and wished to make no comment to the media.

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