A suspect in a horse-killing scheme linked to the disappearance of candy heiress Helen Vorhees Brach was charged in the 1955 murders of three boys.
Kenneth Hansen, 61, of suburban Country Club Hills, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, said Cook County State's Attorney Jack O'Malley."I'm particularly pleased to be able to put closure on a case that at the time caused a lot of grief for the city of Chicago," O'Malley said.
The victims, Anton Schuessler, 11; John Schuessler, 13; and Bobby Peterson, 14, were found beaten and strangled in October 1955.
Hansen was arrested Thursday at his home by federal and local officials on a warrant issued in connection with a 1970 fire that killed 36 horses and destroyed the Forest View Stables in what is now Tinley Park. The murder charges were added Friday.
O'Malley said the boys spent Oct. 16 in downtown Chicago and were last seen hitchhiking.
Authorities contend Hansen picked up the boys and took them to the Idle Hours Stables, where he sexually abused at least one of them and then strangled them.