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Widow of Late Cook County Commissioner and Son Found Fatally Shot in Chicago Home

Detectives are treating the case as a homicide with no arrests announced.

Overview

  • Barbara Deer, 51, and her son Kaleb, 23, were discovered unresponsive inside their North Lawndale home Tuesday evening, and both were pronounced dead at the scene.
  • The Cook County Medical Examiner on Wednesday identified the victims and reported that Barbara had multiple gunshot wounds to her chest and Kaleb had a gunshot wound to his head.
  • Chicago police said a weapon was recovered inside the home, and investigators have not identified a suspect.
  • Neighbors, including Rev. Chris Griffin, reported unusual signs before officers arrived, noting a locked house and the family dog barking outside.
  • Barbara Deer, the widow of former Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer, was active in North Lawndale community groups, and the killings have left friends and neighbors reeling.