On Veterans Day (November 11, 2022), Timothy J. Dubois Jr., 42, abducted a 21-year-old woman who was waiting in her car outside a Starbucks in Collinsville, Illinois. Armed with a large knife, he forced her to drive to a secluded area in nearby Troy, where he sexually assaulted her. He then forced her to drive back to the shopping center before fleeing.
During the assault, the victim testified that Dubois told her he “deserved” her because he was a veteran and it was Veterans Day. Investigators later said Dubois admitted he specifically chose Starbucks because “that’s where all the women go,” and acknowledged the victim “could’ve been anyone”—he simply targeted someone who was alone.
Although Dubois attempted to avoid detection by turning off the victim’s cellphone and wearing a mask, investigators were able to trace the victim’s Apple Watch to the crime scene. There they recovered a discarded condom containing DNA. Using forensic genetic genealogy, detectives eventually identified Dubois, who later confessed to the crime.
In May 2026, a jury convicted Dubois of:
Aggravated criminal sexual assault
Aggravated kidnapping
Aggravated criminal sexual abuse
On July 9, 2026, he was sentenced to 120 years in prison:
80 years for aggravated criminal sexual assault
30 years for aggravated kidnapping
10 years for aggravated criminal sexual abuse
Under Illinois sentencing rules, he is expected to serve at least 68 years before becoming eligible for release.
Following the sentencing, Collinsville Police Chief Brett Boerm said, “We put a monster away today,” while emphasizing that the victim still faces a long road to recovery. Prosecutors praised the persistence of investigators and the use of forensic genealogy in solving the case.
Andrew Urdiales, U.S. Marine Corps [photo: Mirror]Former Camp Pendleton Marine Andrew Urdiales died by suicide at San Quentin State Prison in California on November 2, 2018. His death came less than a month after he was sentenced to death for five murders of women in California. Urdiales also received a life sentence in Illinois for the murders of three other women. One of his victims Jennifer Asbenson got away in 1992 and was able to testify against him during his death penalty trial in California. Four of the murders were committed while he was an active duty Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton between 1986 and 1989. After Urdiales was discharged, he killed four more women in a two year span, one in California and three in Illinois, between 1995-1996.
Honoring the Victims:
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January 18, 1986: Robbin Brandley, 23, Saddleback CC, California
July 17, 1988: Julie McGhee, 30, Cathedral City, California
September 25, 1988: Mary Ann Wells, 31, San Diego, California
April 15, 1989: Tammie Erwin, 18, Palm Springs, California
March 11, 1995: Denise Maney, 32, Palm Springs, California
April 14, 1996: Laura Uylaki, 25, Chicago, Illinois
July 14, 1996: Cassandra Corum, 21, Pontiac, Illinois
August 2, 1996: Lynn Huber, 22, Chicago, Illinois
In the News:
A jury recommended the death penalty for former Marine and convicted serial killer Andrew Urdiales on Wednesday. -ABC 7 (June 13, 2018)
An Orange County Superior Court jury Wednesday recommended the death penalty for a former Marine and Chicago triple-murderer who was convicted last month of murdering five women in Southern California from 1986 to 1995. -CBS Los Angeles (June 13, 2018)
A survivor was overcome with emotion as she came face to face with the monster who abducted and tortured her…It happened when she missed her bus in Palm Springs, California and Andrew Urdiales offered her a ride. He drove her to a remote desert location where he tied her with rope and her bra. -Inside Edition (June 13, 2018)
News conference following the penalty phase verdict in the case of the People v. Andrew Urdiales case featuring surviving victim Jennifer Asbenson, Tammie Erwin’s father Charles Erwin, Mary Ann Wells’ son Steve Wells, and OCDA Senior Deputy District Attorneys Matt Murphy and Eric Scarbrough of the Homicide Unit. -Orange County DA (June 14, 2018)
Serial killer Andrew Urdiales, who was convicted of the first-degree murders of five Southern California women between 1986 and 1995, was sentenced to death Friday. -ABC 7 (October 5, 2018)
The murders occurred when Andrew Urdiales was stationed at various Marine Corps facilities in Southern California. -CBS Los Angeles (October 5, 2018)
A woman who was kidnapped by an eight-time serial killer shares why she believes her life was spared and she was able to escape. -Dr. Phil (March 7, 2019)
Cuomo speaks with Urdiales on the day he’s being sent to death row and tries to understand why this madman chose to kill multiple women in cold blood. Was he insane? Did he hate women? Were there clues in his childhood? -Inside Evil with Chris Cuomo, HLN (June 18, 2019)
Obituary: “Timothy James “TJ” Jurgens passed away July 30, 2018 in Fort Hood, Texas.TJ was born July 5, 1999 in Effingham, Illinois. He is survived by his parents Thad and Tommi Jurgens of Golconda, IL, his brothers Hunter (Katie) Jurgens of Jasper, Indiana, Lane Jurgens of Litchfield, IL and one sister Josie Jurgens of Golconda, IL. He is also survived by his grandparents Carol and John Sheehan of Teutopolis, IL, Tom and Tammy Logsdon of St. Elmo, IL, Greg and Elaine Lilly of Mode, IL, Paul and Doris McConkey of Brownstown, IL, great-grandparents Marilyn Logsdon of St. Elmo, Lydia Hemrich of Effingham. TJ was preceded in death by his grandfather Harold “Tubby” Jurgens, his uncle Louis Jurgens, great grandfather William “Bill” Logsdon, and great grandparents Arthur and Ruth Forbes. TJ was a 2017 graduate of Pope County High School, and enlisted in the US Army before graduation. He enjoyed music and drama club in high school, as he loved to make people laugh. No one laughed harder than him, he was a joy to all he encountered. TJ loved the Lord. He loved his family and his friends. He loved his church family and kept strong relationships with every church he participated in.”
Curtis Lovelace was a college football star and later a prominent attorney, and then one Valentine’s Day morning his wife, Cory, died mysteriously. The case was closed, but now 11 years later, Lovelace is on trial for her murder — again. “48 Hours” correspondent Maureen Maher joins “CBS This Morning” with a preview of her report.
Army soldier Pvt. Wanya Bruns, 20, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Killeen, Texas on November 26, 2016. Pvt. Bruns’ home of record is listed as Bellwood, Illinois and he joined the Army in February 2016. Pvt. Bruns was a cavalry scout assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood in Texas. At the time of the report, the Killeen Police Department investigated the circumstances of Bruns’ death and their findings indicated the gunshot wound was self-inflicted. In effect, Pvt. Bruns committed suicide nine months after joining the Army; five months after getting to Fort Hood. The following comment on MJFA under Spc. Zachary Moore’s story begs the question: Why Are Army Soldiers at Fort Hood Dying at Alarming Rates Stateside?
Army Pfc. Tyler Iubelt, 20, died of injuries sustained from an improvised explosive device in Bagram, Afghanistan on November 12, 2016. Pfc. Iubelt was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel on behalf of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. Army soldier Sgt. John Perry, 30, also died in the attack that occurred as people were gathering at the airfield for a post-Veterans Day fun run. Reports indicate that a Taliban suicide bomber was dressed as a laborer and blew himself up killing Pfc. Iubelt, Sgt. Perry, and two civilians.
U.S. Army Pfc. Tyler Iubelt is celebrated during the return of his body to Southern Illinois from Afghanistan. Iubelt was killed when a suicide bomber targeted a November 2016 Veteran’s Day celebration in Afghanistan; he was one of four poeple killed in that attack. -The Southern Illinoisan
US Army veteran, Robert Burgess, 56, is accused of fatally shooting William Charles Smith in the head during an attempted robbery on August 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. He is awaiting trial and being held in prison without bail.
Army SSG Christopher Wilbur, 36, of Granite City, Illinois, died of a non combat related injury in Kandahar, Afghanistan on August 12, 2016. SSG Wilbur was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel on behalf of the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado. SSG Wilbur was in the Army for eleven (11) years and was on his fourth wartime deployment when he died. According to the Department of Defense press release, the incident was under investigation at the time of reporting. The Saint Louis Post-Dispatch reported SSG Wilbur installed drywall before joining the Army in 2005; he served two tours in Iraq and died during his second tour in Afghanistan.
SSG Wilbur was known in Army circles as a friendly leader who instilled discipline in his troops. Wilbur was described as a history buff and avid reader who also enjoyed camping, hiking, rock climbing, snowboarding, fishing, playing chess and rooting for the Cardinals. At the funeral service, those who spoke said Wilbur’s family was most important to him. They described Wilbur and his wife as soulmates who had their own love language; the couple was known to say they shared the same brain. The couple have two children together. The outcome of the investigation and official cause of death are unknown, although a public affairs officer stated once the investigation was concluded, the findings would be shared with SSG Wilbur’s family.
“Lt. Col. Don Korpi chief of public affairs and community relations for U.S. forces in Afghanistan, said the death investigation is ongoing and a final report has not yet been completed. ‘We can reaffirm that his death appears to be non-combat related and did occur on the airfield,’ he said. ‘Any specific details on his location and his mission on the base other than to say he was stationed and present at the Airfield at the time of his death would not be appropriate.’ Once completed, he said, the findings of the investigation would be shared with Wilbur’s family.” –STL Today (August 25, 2016)
Maria Ridulph, 7, disappeared on December 3, 1957 in Sycamore, Illinois. She was found stabbed to death a few months later. Air Force veteran John Tessier (aka Jack McCullough) of Seattle, Washington, 17 at the time, was convicted in 2012 of the kidnapping and murder of Maria and sentenced to life in prison. It was the oldest cold case in the country to be solved but soon that victory would be lost and conviction overturned on appeal. A prosecutor found evidence that supported McCullough’s long-held alibi that he had been 40 miles away at the time of the disappearance. As a matter of fact, the former Captain was enlisting in the Air Force and left for active duty service a few days later. A certificate of innocence was issued and Jack McCullough was set free on April 15, 2016. Despite the past sexual abuse of minors allegations, which McCullough doesn’t deny, he wants to clear his name of the homicide. McCullough is suing the State of Illinois for wrongful conviction. The case remains unsolved to this day.
Retired police officer Jack McCullough was convicted of murder in Illinois more than half a century after the crime. But he was released Friday after a prosecutor found he could not have done it. McCullough says he will sue the state for the suffering five years of imprisonment. “48 Hours” correspondent Erin Moriarty reports.
“A Virginia man found murdered in Maryland over the weekend was an informant who successfully got a Marine to confess to three murders in prison. Osama El-Atari had been reported missing by his family…Two days later, El Atari was found dead inside his truck…In August of 2010, the feds wanted to see if El-Atari could get Jorge Torrez, a Marine, to confess on tape to the murder of Amanda Jean Snell, a sailor who was found murdered in Fort Myer. El-Atari and Torrez were in the same cellblock in Arlington County Jail. The two talked for hours with El-Atari getting Torrez to admit to the vicious crime…El-Atari was also able to get Torrez to admit to the 2005 killing of two little girls in his hometown of Zion, Illinois. It is a crime in which a suspect had already confessed. Also, DNA evidence pointed to Torrez.” Read more from Fox 5 DChere.
MILITARY JUSTICE FOR ALL 