Romeoville police reopen 1980 murder case

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Ronnie Taylor was fatally stabbed in 1980 in Romeoville. | Herald-News file photo

Updated: March 15, 2012 8:14AM

ROMEOVILLE — Police say new information has led them to reopen a 32-year-old murder case.

Assistant Chief Steve Lucchesi said an informant recently contacted investigators regarding the April 20, 1980, slaying of Ronnie Taylor.

Around 7 p.m. that night, the 22-year-old Taylor left his home and walked to the 7-11 at Dalhart and Arlington streets, where he and other young people typically hung out and played pinball. Taylor was last seen there around 8:30 p.m.

“Around 9:40 p.m. Taylor was chased by two individuals in the 500 block of Fenton Avenue. They tackled him, and he was stabbed,” Lucchesi said.

Loud voices brought out residents who found Taylor with a single wound to the left side of his chest on the outside steps of a home. His keys were found nearby, and a bush was damaged. His wallet still contained $160.

Taylor was taken to Silver Cross Hospital where he died.

Taylor was 9 when his family moved to Romeoville from Chicago in 1967. He graduated from Romeoville High School in 1976 and joined the Marine Corps Reserves.

He had worked at Penn Dixie Steel Corp. until being laid off the month before his death.

Lucchesi said Michael Kempinski, who was 18 at the time of Taylor’s death, later was charged with the murder.

“He was in jail for some months, but was released before being brought to trial for insufficient evidence,” Lucchesi said.

After the informant was interviewed, police reviewed their files and decided the case should be re-opened, Lucchesi said.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call Sgt. Christopher Burne at 815-886-7219.