Bar owner's killer is former co-worker who got fired after she reported he was stealing money: Prosecutors

The Illinois barroom proprietor who was fatally shot arsenic she opened up her concern knew the antheral who allegedly killed her.

Julius Burkes Jr., 47, appeared successful a Kankakee County tribunal connected Wednesday aft being charged with the murder of 30-year-old Courtney Drysdale. During the hearing, which was covered by section CW affiliate WGN, prosecutors revealed that Burkes and Drysdale had been co-workers astatine the barroom she would yet own. Prosecutors told the justice that successful 2019, erstwhile the barroom was nether antithetic ownership and a antithetic name, Drysdale told the erstwhile proprietor that Burkes was stealing money. The accusation outgo Burkes his job.

About six years later, prosecutors said Burkes "crossed authorities lines" to return to the bar, present known arsenic The Line and owned by Drysdale, to rob it and execute Drysdale. First Assistant State's Attorney Carol Costello said, "He planned it out."

As Law&Crime antecedently reported, Burkes was arrested astatine his location successful Hammond, Indiana, close crossed the Indiana-Illinois authorities line, connected Feb. 3, a time aft Drysdale was recovered dormant astatine The Line successful Momence, Illinois. After releasing video footage taken astatine the barroom connected the greeting of Feb. 2, constabulary received a fig of tips that led them to Burkes.

Police said astatine the clip that video footage from wrong the barroom showed that Burkes "brandished a firearm and demanded wealth from the currency register" earlier Drysdale was changeable "execution-style." More details astir that footage were revealed by Costello successful tribunal connected Wednesday. Costello told the justice that 7 minutes aft Drysdale opened the barroom astatine 11 a.m., Burkes entered the barroom and aimed a firearm astatine Drysdale.

"[Burkes] past orders Courtney astir the interior of the barroom for respective minutes, removing items from the currency registry and bureau area. The suspect appears to bid Courtney to beryllium connected the level down the bar."

Costello continued, "At 11:13 a.m., the suspect past shoots Courtney 1 clip successful her head, execution style, and you spot her assemblage illness to the floor." She said Burkes started to leave, but "15 seconds later, walks backmost towards her, reaches implicit the bar, and again, execution style, shoots her a 2nd clip successful her head." Burkes past near the bar, got into his achromatic BMW, and drove away.

More from Law&Crime: Engaged ma opening up the barroom she owned was changeable 'execution-style' aft antheral robbed her: Police

About an hr aft allegedly murdering Drysdale, Costello said investigators recovered a slope receipt for a $751 deposit into a slope successful Hammond, Indiana, wherever Burkes lives. They were besides capable to way his telephone arsenic helium traveled backmost and distant betwixt Hammond and Momence.

According to Costello, Burkes' existent woman identified him successful the surveillance footage. His ex-girlfriend confirmed the car successful the video was the 1 she had sold to him.

Burkes was charged with 3 counts of murder, equipped robbery, and felony possession of a firearm. He is being held astatine the Jerome Combs Detention Center without bond.

WGN reported that Drysdale's household and friends, who attended the proceeding a time aft Drysdale's funeral, started a GoFundMe for her surviving daughter, who is present surviving with her aunt and uncle. Drysdale was engaged to beryllium joined astatine the clip of her death.