Slaying Of Julie Ann Hanson: MN Man, 76, Charged With Murder

NAPERVILLE, IL — Nearly 50 years after 15-year-old Julie Ann Hanson's body was found stabbed to death in a Naperville cornfield, a man has been charged in her murder.

Barry Lee Whelpley, 76, currently of Mounds View, Minnesota, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with Hanson's death, Will County State's Attorney Jim Glasgow announced Friday morning.

Hanson was last seen alive on July 7, 1972. Her body was discovered the next day near 87th Street and Modaff Road after the bicycle she had been riding was found on a nearby gravel road. Police say she had been stabbed numerous times.

Whelpley's arrest comes via "genealogy and DNA evidence," Naperville Police Chief Robert Marshall said, but police declined to offer details, citing the ongoing investigation.

The department never stopped investigating Hanson's murder, Marshall said Friday, adding that Hanson's picture remained on investigators' desks.

Marshall said, "This was never a cold case for our police department; we continually investigated the case throughout those 49 years."

Whelpley, who formerly lived within a mile of Hanson's home in Naperville, is being held on $10 million bond in Minnesota. Whelpley will be extradited to Illinois after waiving extradition Friday, Carole Cheney of Will County State's Attorney's Office told Patch.

In a news release, Marshall said, "This horrific crime has haunted this family, this community and this department for 49 years. The investigation and resulting charges were truly a team effort that spanned decades, and I could not be more proud of the determination and resourcefulness of our investigators, both past and present, who never gave up on Julie.”

Glasgow said Whelpley, who worked as a welder, is in Minnesota now and is due in court for an extradition hearing.

Members of the Hanson family said in a statement, "As you might assume, it has been a long journey for our family. We are forever grateful to all those who have worked on this case throughout the many years."