Gilbert L Wainwright

Gilbert Leroy Wainwright III, a man known for his love of family, friends, music, and the Chicago Blackhawks, was a lifelong resident of the Chicago suburb of Downers Grove. At 31 years old, "Gil," as he was known, was the cherished son of Gilbert Leroy Wainwright Jr. and the late Vicki Wainwright, a dear brother to Brandon and Jessica, and a beloved grandson to Dolores and Gilbert Sr. His life was remembered by those who knew him for the joy he found in simple pleasures, like spending time with loved ones. He attended Westmont High School and was known among friends for his funny personality.

The night he died, Gilbert had reportedly been to a concert and was on his way home. In the early hours of Sunday, October 30, 2016, his life was cut short in an act of violence that remains unexplained. At approximately 12:45 a.m., Chicago Police officers responded to a call of shots fired in the Humboldt Park neighborhood on the city's West Side. When they arrived in the 3400 block of West Hirsch Street, they discovered Gilbert lying unresponsive on the sidewalk. He had been shot in the face. Paramedics rushed him to Norwegian Hospital, but his injury was too severe. Gilbert was pronounced dead at 12:52 a.m., just seven minutes after he was found.

His death occurred during a particularly violent Halloween weekend in a year that saw a dramatic spike in homicides across Chicago. The city was grappling with a surge in gun violence that drew national attention, and the weekend Gilbert was killed was one of the deadliest of the year, with numerous shootings and fatalities. The Humboldt Park neighborhood, a large community on the west side of Chicago known for its sprawling historic park and vibrant Puerto Rican culture, has also contended with persistent issues of crime and violence. Gilbert’s homicide was another tragic entry in a year marked by loss for the city.

The investigation into Gilbert Wainwright's murder was launched by the Chicago Police Department. However, in the years that have passed since his death, there has been little to no public information about any progress in the case. No suspects have been named, no persons of interest have been described, and no motive for the shooting has been released by authorities. The case grew cold, leaving his family and friends without answers or a sense of justice for his sudden and brutal killing. His death is one of hundreds of unsolved homicides from that year, a statistic that represents a profound and ongoing source of pain for many families in the Chicago area.

In the days following their devastating loss, Gilbert's family was surrounded by the love of their community. A celebration of his life was held on Friday, November 4, 2016, at the Downers Grove Moose Lodge, where friends and relatives gathered to share memories and support one another in their grief. The family had suffered another significant loss just a year prior with the passing of Gilbert's mother, Victoria, in 2015. In lieu of flowers for Gilbert's service, his family requested that donations be made toward his memorial, a testament to the unexpected nature of their tragedy.

As of late 2024, the murder of Gilbert L. Wainwright III remains unsolved. The questions of who shot him and why are still unanswered. His family and friends are left with only memories of a funny, loving man who was a huge fan of his hometown hockey team. The lack of resolution in his case is a painful reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence and the long shadow it casts over the lives of those left behind. The Chicago Police Department has not announced any new leads or developments in the investigation.