On the weekend of the 8th anniversary of an unsolved double homicide, Mayor Nick Caiafa, the Village of Schiller Park and the Schiller Park Police Department have announced a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the 2011 murders of George Markopoulos and Wendy Bonder.
Early in the morning of January 27, 2011, a three-alarm fire broke out at the Horseshoe Inn located at 9639 West Irving Park Road in Schiller Park. More than 50 firefighters from 12 departments had responded before the fire was under control. That’s when the body of George Markopoulos, 67, was discovered. Markopoulos owned the bar and lived in a small apartment in back. After an initial investigation, his death was ruled a homicide from cranial cerebral injuries and blunt head trauma.
Several days after the fire, the remains of Wendy Bonder, 61, were located under three feet of burned debris. An autopsy revealed she also died of cranial cerebral injuries and blunt head trauma and her death was also ruled a homicide.
One year after the tragedy, a candlelight vigil was held at the rebuilt Horseshoe Inn, honoring the memories of Markopoulos and Bonder. In addition to being a longtime small business owner in the community, Markopoulos was well known throughout Schiller Park as a passionate and long-time supporter of community activities.
“The tragic deaths of George and Wendy shook our close-knit community and has not been forgotten,” said Mayor Caiafa. “From day one, our detectives have dedicated themselves to solving this case and I committed to supporting them in those efforts, including with the creation of this reward. We owe it to George, Wendy and their families to find who did this and bring them to justice.”
Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call the Schiller Park Police Department tip line at 844-SPPD-TIP (844-777-3847).
