BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) — Police in Bloomington say they are closing the investigation of a 1984 homicide because the man they believe was the most likely suspect has been dead for years.
Bloomington police on Wednesday said they accumulated enough evidence to arrest Aaron O. Patrick on suspicion of killing 37-year-old Gary L. Sheppelman of Bloomington. But Patrick died in 1992, when he was 51.
According to The Pantagraph in Bloomington, Sheppelman was found stabbed to death on Feb. 28, 1984, in a bar where he worked.
After two years with few leads the case was placed on inactive status. New information from a witness in 2014 led police to their conclusion.
The McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the evidence and agreed with police.
Authorities notified Sheppelman’s surviving family last week of their decision.
