Investigators still have no suspects in Saturday’s triple homicide that left a father and his two daughters dead, Hazel Crest Police Chief Mitchell Davis III said Thursday.
Village officials announced they are offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in the killing of 39-year-old Dionus Neely, and his daughters, Elle, 10, and Endia, 3. People interested in contributing to increase the amount of that reward may do so through an account set up with BankFinancial.
In his second news conference since the slayings, Davis again asked for those with information about the killings to come forward.
“Somebody knows what happened. Somebody knows who did it,” Davis said.
Meanwhile, the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force has been deactivated in connection with the Hazel Crest homicides, Davis said. Task force investigators are still assisting Hazel Crest detectives as the investigation continues.
Martina Patterson, Dionus Neely’s sister, said donations to create a larger reward could encourage more people to come forward to help catch whoever killed her brother and nieces.
“He was a loving husband, a loving friend, a loving father, who loved his kids,” Patterson said. “Endia was 3, and she had a smile that would light up the world. Elle, she was 10, and she was my little dancer.”
Erin Ross, the wife and mother of the victims, and the couple’s 1-year-old child were asleep in the same room, but survived the attack. Family and friends have created a memorial to the Neelys outside their bullet-riddled home.
Investigators are looking into Dionus Neely’s background — which court records show included a history of drug convictions — for a possible motive for the killings. Police believe Dionus Neely was the intended target.
It’s not known if more than one person shot the Neelys. Officials also have not released information about whether anyone entered the home or if the shots were the result of a drive-by shooting.
Officers responded to a report of gunfire in the 2400 block of Crescent Drive and found the Neelys wounded, police said.
Dionus Neely was pronounced dead at 3 a.m. at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office. Elle and Endia were declared dead at around the same time at Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest.
All three sustained multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office, and their deaths were officially ruled homicides.
The Neelys are expected to be buried next week. The Neely family visitation is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at Leak & Sons Funeral Homes, 7838 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago. The wake is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, and the funeral is set for 11 a.m. at Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Morgan Park, 11401 S. Vincennes Ave., Chicago. Burial will follow.
Nick Swedberg is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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