Eureka Jackson, a 38-year-old African-American woman, was found deceased on November 6, 2008, inside an abandoned building at 34 E. 120th St. Her cause of death was determined to be strangulation. Authorities investigating the case linked her murder to a suspected serial killer, Michael Johnson, who was later charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder. Johnson, 24 at the time of his arrest, was identified after DNA evidence connected him to the deaths of three women, including Jackson. His arrest followed an attack on another woman who survived and was able to identify him to the police.
The investigation revealed that Jackson, along with two other victims, Leslie Brown and Siobhan Hampton, were all found in abandoned buildings on the Far South Side of Chicago. Each of them had been strangled, and their bodies were discovered within a concentrated area spanning 113th to 120th streets from South Michigan to South Harvard avenues. Authorities noted that all the victims led "high-risk" lifestyles, which may have made them more vulnerable to the perpetrator.
DNA evidence played a crucial role in linking Johnson to the murders. Samples collected from Hampton’s remains matched the DNA profiles obtained from Jackson and Brown. This forensic breakthrough ultimately led to Johnson’s arrest outside his home. In addition to the murder charges, Johnson faced accusations of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated criminal sexual assault. His case drew significant attention as investigators worked to determine whether he was connected to other similar crimes in the area.
Authorities continued to probe whether Johnson was responsible for additional homicides, including that of Lutelda Hudson, a 29-year-old woman found strangled in a vacant building in May 2009. While Hudson’s death bore similarities to the other victims, investigators had yet to confirm whether Johnson was involved. The case underscored the challenges law enforcement faced in tracking down serial offenders and ensuring justice for victims like Eureka Jackson.
