Michael Lelko of Lyons IL was released from custody after a court hearing on charges alleging he buried his mother and sister in a backyard.
LYONS, Ill. -- One of two brothers from Lyons were released from custody Friday after a court hearing on charges alleging he buried his mother and their sister in Tupperware containers in their backyard.Note: The video in the player above is from a previous report.
The medical examiner's office couldn't determine a cause of death of the mother, Jean Lelko, 79, or the sister Jennifer Lelko, 44. Police said they were unable to prove the brothers had caused harm to the mother and sister when they died."Drawing your own conclusions is always nice. But going by the facts, that's where we stand today," Herion said.
Herion said he interviewed the older brother himself and was skeptical of the claim, suspecting Michael Lelko was providing an excuse for a possible injury that would be found in the autopsy.The older brother also allegedly admitted he buried their sister after she had died. The younger brother first lied about his mother's and sister's whereabouts, saying they were out of town, but later admitted they were buried in the backyard, Herion said.
The brothers were reclusive residents of Lyons, both born and raised there but never working a job, marrying or having children, Herion said. Their father had built the home and eventually divorced the mother.