Crime
16-Year-Old Girl Found Beaten to Death in Chicago Horan Park Identified as Kayla Aaliyah Joyce Love
CHICAGO, IL – Authorities have identified the teenage girl found brutally beaten to death at a West Side park as 16-year-old Kayla Aaliyah Joyce Love, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
On March 17, 2025, Chicago Police responded to Horan Park, located at Van Buren and Whipple, after receiving reports of an unconscious female.
Upon arrival, officers discovered the teen lying face down, barefoot, and unresponsive.
Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene, but she was tragically pronounced dead on arrival (DOA).
A preliminary autopsy revealed that Kayla had suffered multiple blunt force trauma injuries to her head and neck, as well as stab wounds to her face.
According to police, Kayla was reported missing on March 16, 2025, after last being seen around 6:00 p.m. at a McDonald’s restaurant near Roosevelt and Kedzie with friends.
Employees at the establishment reportedly asked the group to leave around 8:00 p.m. due to disruptive behavior.
Authorities are investigating reports that a female was seen being assaulted by a male at Horan Park on the same night Kayla was reported missing.
It remains unclear whether this incident is connected to her death.
No suspects are currently in custody, and Area 4 Detectives are leading the homicide investigation.
Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously at CPDTIP.COM or by contacting the Chicago Police Department’s 11th District at (312) 746-8386.
Kayla, a junior at Manley High School, is the second Chicago Public Schools (CPS) student found deceased on the same day.
Less than three miles away, officers discovered the body of a 13-year-old boy—also reported missing—with a gunshot wound to the head, behind an apartment building.
Authorities continue to investigate both deaths as the community mourns the tragic loss of two young lives.
Christian County, Mo. — Authorities have identified the suspect accused of fatally shooting a deputy with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office during a traffic stop as Richard Bird.
At the time the Blue Alert was issued, the suspect had not yet been taken into custody.
According to law enforcement officials, the deputy initiated a traffic stop involving a 2001 Chevrolet extended cab pickup truck along State Highway 160 near Highlandville.
During the stop, the suspect allegedly opened fire, fatally wounding the deputy before fleeing the scene.
The suspect was reported to have traveled southbound on Highway 160 following the shooting.
Authorities described the suspect vehicle as a black 2001 Chevrolet extended cab pickup truck equipped with a silver brush guard, black body trim, tinted rear windows, and a three-ball trailer hitch. The vehicle was bearing Missouri license plate 9MG-X36.
A statewide Blue Alert was issued to notify the public and assist in locating the suspect.
Law enforcement officials urged residents not to approach the vehicle or suspect if located, but instead to immediately call 911 and provide detailed information while remaining at a safe distance.
Christian County is situated south of Springfield and north of Branson, an area that sees significant travel due to its proximity to the Ozarks.
Multiple agencies across the region coordinated efforts in response to the alert.
Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting or the status of the investigation.
Law enforcement officials expressed their condolences to the deputy’s family, colleagues, and the community as they continue to pursue justice in the case.