Do you know what happened to Cheryl Griffin? Cheryl Jean Griffin, a 22-year-old woman from Rockford, Illinois, was found murdered on October 25, 1986, in the Kishwaukee Gorge Forest Preserve. Her body was discovered approximately 40 feet from the gated entrance of the preserve by a forest preserve employee. Cheryl was fully clothed except for one missing red high-heeled shoe, and her death was caused by a single stab wound to her chest.
Authorities believed she had been dead for about 12 hours before her body was found, and it is thought that she may have been killed elsewhere and later moved to the location where she was found.
Cheryl had led a challenging life, often frequenting drug houses and being involved in sex work. She was known to run with a rough crowd, which potentially contributed to the risks she faced. Cheryl was also supposed to be a witness in the attempted murder trial of Michael Hall. Hall had been involved in a violent altercation with another man, and Cheryl had information on the incident, which may have placed her in further danger. However, authorities did not believe there was a direct connection between her death and the attempted murder case.
Cheryl was last seen alive in the area of 7th Street and 4th Avenue by two cab drivers who knew her. Unfortunately, her high-risk lifestyle and the prevailing fear of retribution made it difficult for the police to gather substantial leads in her case. Despite questioning many of her acquaintances, friends, and family, the case quickly went cold. The investigation was hindered by the reluctance of individuals who knew Cheryl to provide information, likely due to concerns over their own safety. Her case remains unsolved, and authorities are still seeking any information that could lead to resolving her murder.
