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A suspect has been taken into custody following the murder of a mother at her bar in the far southern suburbs, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
The arrest occurred just hours after the Kankakee County Sheriff appealed to the public for assistance. The investigation received a significant boost from numerous tips, leading to the apprehension of 47-year-old Julius E. Burkes Jr.
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“We were overwhelmed by the response from the community, with many individuals providing valuable tips and information to our investigators,” stated Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey.
Burkes was captured as he departed from his residence in Hammond, Indiana. He is currently being held on suspicion of murder and is awaiting an extradition hearing to transfer him to Illinois. His court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday.
The arrest followed the release of Burkes’ images to the public, alongside a $5,000 reward offer related to the Monday morning murder of 30-year-old Courtney Drysdale. She was discovered deceased at the rural Momence bar she owned.
“Courtney was deeply loved, not only by her family and her young daughter, but also by the many patrons and friends whose lives she’s touched,” Downey said.
Investigators say Drysdale was getting ready to open The Line bar along Route 114 around 11 a.m. Monday when Burkes allegedly entered the business, showed a gun and demanded money from the cash register.
“Despite her cooperation, the suspect shot her twice execution-style before fleeing the scene,” Downey said at a press conference earlier Tuesday.
Surveillance cameras from the bar captured images showing Burkes in a baseball cap, glasses, and a bright yellow jacket.
“If you see this person or someone resembling his physical appearance, I am pleading with you to simply keep a distance and call authorities,” Downey had said.
The Kankakee sheriff said Burkes tried to remove the recording device from the wall, but investigators were still able to recover surveillance video.
Investigators did said the suspect then left in a white BMW sedan, driving toward Indiana.
Investigators added that it is unclear if the suspect was a regular at the bar.
Earlier Tuesday, a deputy was seen carrying a brown bag out of The Line bar, where a lit candle was left outside in Drysdale’s honor.
Those who knew Drysdale say they do not understand why someone would want to harm her.
“It feels like a really big relief, if I’m being honest, that someone is in custody to do justice for Courtney because he took a beautiful soul,” said Hailey Gershon.
Gershon, a longtime friend who also works at the bar, says Drysdale leaves behind a fiancé and a school-age daughter.
“I mean it, she was probably the nicest person. I could always go to her for anything,” Gershon said. “She would literally give up the whole world for somebody and would always be there for everybody, even though if she was upset or going through things. She would push those aside for others and, like, make sure they were happy.”
The Line bar posted that it will be closed until further notice.
Drysdale was a longtime bartender at that bar before becoming the owner and is well known to the patrons there.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (815) 93-CRIME | (815) 932-7463.
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