June 19, 2016

Just six days after celebrating her 20th birthday, Lacey Claire Gaines was found murdered in her own apartment in Justice, Illinois. On December 7, 2009 the boyfriend of Lacey Gaines walked into the apartment they shared and found her body.

Lacey was discovered both stabbed and strangled, wearing a black bra and jeans. There was no sign of forced entry, no missing property, no signs of sexual assault and Lacey displayed no defensive wounds, likely meaning Lacey knew her attacker and let the killer into her home. Despite a number of tips and leads, including details about relationships issues, investigators have not made an arrest in Lacey’s murder.

Lacey Gaines was the mother of a young son, she was a daughter, cousin, niece, sister and friend. Lacey’s family has never given up hope that her killer will be brought to justice. They have spread the word about Lacey’s life and death through multiple victim serving groups and publications. Lacey’s story was featured in the July 2015 issue Citizens Against Homicide News and her family maintains a website dedicated to finding her killer with pictures, timelines, details and ways to submit tips.

If you have any information on the unsolved murder of Lacey Gaines, please contact Cook County States Attorney Thomas Biesty at (773) 674-3470 or email police@villageofjustice.org. Those who wish to remain anonymous and possibly receive a reward can call Cook County Crime Stoppers at (800) 535-STOP.

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If you have a loved one that is the victim of an unsolved homicide please submit their case here for consideration in a future Cold Case Spotlight post.