Dzeneta “Janet” Pasanbegovic, a 22-year-old white female refugee from Bosnia-Herzegovina, disappeared on or around July 11, 1995, along with her 20-year-old sister, Amela Pasanbegovic. The two sisters had recently resettled in Hanover Park, Illinois, after fleeing the war in their home country. They had only been in the United States for about six months when they vanished. Their disappearance was reported on July 24, 1995. Despite extensive efforts, the bodies of the two young women have never been recovered.
The case took a chilling turn when serial killer Paul Frederick Runge, a white male from Illinois, confessed to murdering both Dzeneta Janet Pasanbegovic and her sister. Runge, who was already convicted of multiple murders, admitted to luring the sisters under false pretenses before sexually assaulting and killing them. He was known for targeting women and girls, often using manipulation to gain access to their homes. His crimes spanned from 1995 to 1997 and included at least seven confirmed victims.
Although Paul Runge was charged in connection with the murders of 22-year-old white female Dzeneta Janet Pasanbegovic and her 20-year-old sister, those charges were later dropped in 2011. The DuPage County State's Attorney explained that since Illinois had abolished the death penalty, pursuing the case would not result in any additional punishment for Runge, who was already serving life in prison without the possibility of parole for other murders. The decision was made in consultation with the Pasanbegovic family, who remained in Bosnia.
Despite the absence of a trial for the murders of Dzeneta Janet Pasanbegovic and her sister, law enforcement continues to recognize them as victims of Paul Runge's violent spree. Their case remains a haunting reminder of the vulnerability faced by refugees and the enduring pain left behind when justice feels incomplete.
