There's a certain gravity that accompanies visiting the scene of a crime, especially one that has left an indelible mark on a community's memory. For true crime podcasters, stepping into the very place where a heinous act occurred is both a necessary part of the investigation and a profoundly moving experience. This post will take you through the journey of our visit to the St. Paul Woods, the place where Sue Ovington and Eyvonne Bender were murdered. It will be a little more personal than our previous blog posts and contain some emotional reflections from Julie and I, plus photos and video from our visit.
The Setting: St. Paul Woods, Morton Grove, Illinois
Our journey began in Morton Grove, Illinois. I drove in from Milwaukee to have lunch with friends on Sunday and then headed to the forest preserve. I drove down Dempster Avenue, and although the Just Pants and Par King Mini Golf Course were no longer there, not much had changed. Strip malls and restaurants lined the street. I'm pretty sure that I passed the same McDonald's that the girls stopped into for a snack.
Julie met me in the parking lot. We parked our cars much like Eyvonne and Susan did over four decades ago. The time was 2:30pm. It was not lost on us that this would have been around the same time that Sue and Eyvonne were there.
Stepping out of the car, a wave of emotions hit us. The woods were packed with happy people grilling food and playing sports. It was hard to reconcile such a jovial environment with the dark history we were here to explore. The air was hot and humid, laden with the memories of those who lived through the tragedy. We took a moment to ground ourselves, to honor the memory of the victims, and to mentally prepare for the journey ahead.
Trying to retrace Eyvonne and Susan’s final steps was a somber experience. As we made our way into the woods, the journey became a bit haunting. The woods, with their dense foliage and broken tree branches covering the ground; it was easy to see why teenagers might have found it a perfect spot for escape, a place to be away from the prying eyes of adults. Yet, for Eyvonne and Susan, it became a place of unspeakable horror.
We found a spot to sit, film and reflect. Why were Eyvonne and Sue even here? Were they meeting up with someone or did someone happen upon them? This spot was just 200 feet from the sounds of shouts and laughter, yet suddenly there was only silence. We tried to imagine their experience; one moment everything was ok, and then it wasn't. Sitting there, it was impossible not to appreciate how scared they must have been and feel a profound sadness. The scene was serene, almost beautiful in its stillness, which only heightened the sense of loss and injustice.
Reflections: Impact and Importance
Visiting the scene of the crime was not about gathering facts; it was about connecting with the humanity of the story. It was about understanding the fear, the sorrow, and the urgency that enveloped the community. It provided context, deepened our empathy, and reinforced our commitment to uncovering the truth.
Walking in the footsteps of Eyvonne and Susan, seeing the places they saw, and feeling the environment where their lives ended, gave us a deeper perspective. It was a stark reminder of why we do what we do: to give a voice to the voiceless, to seek justice, and to ensure that their story is not forgotten.
As we said our goodbyes and left Morton Grove, we carried with us a renewed sense of purpose. There are still so many unanswered questions, still pieces of the puzzle that don’t fit. Our visit to the crime scene was a step closer to understanding the full picture, but there is much more work to be done.
We invite our listeners and readers to join us on this journey. Someone, somewhere, knows something. If you have any information, no matter how small it may seem, please come forward. Together, we can bring justice to Eyvonne and Susan and finally bring some closure to their families and community.
Join us this September for the Murder in Morton Grove Podcast, as we work to unravel this haunting mystery. There is an answer out there, and we won’t rest until we find it.
Julie Lokun & Stacey Nye
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