Prosecutors Reveal Ex-Colleague Charged in Bar Owner’s Death After Theft Allegations

A tragic incident has unfolded in Illinois, where a bar owner was fatally shot by someone she once knew. The suspect, Julius Burkes Jr., 47, appeared in Kankakee County court on Wednesday, facing charges related to the murder of 30-year-old Courtney Drysdale.

During the court proceedings, prosecutors revealed that Burkes and Drysdale were former co-workers at the bar she eventually took ownership of. According to reports from WGN, a local CW affiliate, the roots of this case stretch back to 2019. At that time, Drysdale had informed the bar’s previous owner that Burkes was involved in theft, a revelation that led to his dismissal.

Fast forward about six years, and prosecutors allege that Burkes crossed state lines with a sinister plan. He returned to the bar, now called The Line and owned by Drysdale, with the intention to rob the establishment and take Drysdale’s life. “He planned it out,” stated First Assistant State’s Attorney Carol Costello.

According to Law&Crime, Burkes was apprehended at his residence in Hammond, Indiana, just over the border from Illinois, on February 3. This arrest came only a day after Drysdale’s lifeless body was discovered at The Line in Momence, Illinois. Surveillance footage from the morning of February 2, released by the police, played a crucial role in leading investigators to Burkes.

The footage reportedly captured Burkes brandishing a firearm and demanding money from the cash register before fatally shooting Drysdale in what authorities described as an “execution-style” killing. Further details emerged in court, with Costello explaining that just seven minutes after Drysdale had opened the bar at 11 a.m., Burkes entered and aimed his weapon at her, sealing her tragic fate.

“[Burkes] then orders Courtney around the interior of the bar for several minutes, removing items from the cash register and office area. The defendant appears to order Courtney to sit on the floor behind the bar.”

Costello continued, “At 11:13 a.m., the defendant then shoots Courtney one time in her head, execution style, and you see her body collapse to the floor.” She said Burkes started to leave, but “15 seconds later, walks back towards her, reaches over the bar, and again, execution style, shoots her a second time in her head.” Burkes then left the bar, got into his white BMW, and drove away.

About an hour after allegedly murdering Drysdale, Costello said investigators found a bank receipt for a $751 deposit into a bank in Hammond, Indiana, where Burkes lives. They were also able to track his phone as he traveled back and forth between Hammond and Momence.

According to Costello, Burkes’ current girlfriend identified him in the surveillance footage. His ex-girlfriend confirmed the car in the video was the one she had sold to him.

Burkes was charged with three counts of murder, armed robbery, and felony possession of a firearm. He is being held at the Jerome Combs Detention Center without bond.

WGN reported that Drysdale’s family and friends, who attended the hearing a day after Drysdale’s funeral, started a GoFundMe for her surviving daughter, who is now living with her aunt and uncle. Drysdale was engaged to be married at the time of her death.