Eighteen Years On: Unsolved Tinley Park Lane Bryant Murders Explored in Upcoming Documentary

TINLEY PARK, Ill. (WLS) — The filmmaker behind a new documentary about the tragic 2008 Lane Bryant store shootings has highlighted the case as the largest unresolved mass shooting in recent American history.

According to police, the incident occurred on the morning of February 2, when the assailant masqueraded as a delivery man. Once inside the Lane Bryant store on 191st Street in Tinley Park, he bound four customers and two employees in the back.

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In a shocking act of violence, he then shot all six women. Five were killed, while one miraculously survived.

Rhoda McFarland, the store manager, managed to dial 911, alerting authorities to the crisis. Despite police arriving on the scene within two minutes, the perpetrator had already escaped.

The brutal crime left the Chicago community and the nation in shock. Few anticipated that the case would remain a mystery for such an extended period.

Mike Hudek lost his 33-year-old sister in the shooting. Carrie Chiuso was a social worker from Frankfort.

“At the end of the day, somebody knows, and shame of that person for keeping it quiet so long,” Hudek said.

The four others killed were Rhoda McFarland of Joliet, Connie R. Woolfolk of Flossmoor, Sarah T. Szafranski of Oak Forest, and Jennifer L. Bishop of South Bend, Indiana.

Police maintained it started as an armed robbery that led to sexual assault and the murders. One other victim survived and helped police develop a sketch of the suspect, a Black man in his late 20s with cornrowed hair and a receding hairline.

Charlie Minn spent about four months working on and directing a documentary about the case. He talked to families of the victims, witnesses, and others. Minn, who has produced around 45 documentaries about unsolved crimes, says Tinley Park police have done a poor job.

“Solve it already. It’s been 18 freaking years. And the families deserve better, a lot better,” Minn said.

Minn says he is troubled by some of the facts in the case, such as why the killer spent 40 minutes inside the store before leaving the scene and why he would rob a women’s clothing store on a Saturday morning in the first place. But, he says, the answers are out there.

“Tinley Park PD will not solve this case; social media will. That’s why I’m making this, to raise as much awareness as possible,” Minn said.

Tinley Park leaders say solving the horrific crime remains a major priority.

“This investigation has never stopped,” Tinley Park Police Chief Tom Tilton said. “Our detectives and partners continue to evaluate leads, review evidence, and apply available investigative and forensic tools as they evolve. This work occurs every day.”

In a statement, Mayor Michael Glotz said, “We’re more determined than ever to solving this case. Our diligence has never wavered, nor has our passion for seeking justice for the women we lost that day.”

Hudek still hopes for answers, but his anger has softened over the years.

“To be honest, I’ve forgiven this person, because I couldn’t keep going down that dark rabbit hole of ‘What if?’ and ‘Why?’ because it doesn’t matter,” Hudek said.

Investigators believe someone is out there that knows something, someone who maybe didn’t feel comfortable talking back then, but who will someday come forward. A $100,000 reward is still being offered for any information that leads to an arrest.

Hudek’s daughter was born one day after his sister was murdered. He named her Carrie, after his sister. The film comes out next Friday at several theaters, including the AMC River East downtown.

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