Cheryl Jean Griffin, 22, of Rockford, Illinois, was found murdered on October 25, 1986, in the Kishwaukee Gorge Forest Preserve. A forest preserve employee discovered her body about 40 feet from the gated entrance; she was fully clothed except for one missing red high-heeled shoe and had died of a single stab wound to the chest. Authorities estimated she had been dead about 12 hours and thought her body may have been moved to the site after the killing.

Cheryl had a high-risk lifestyle, frequenting drug houses and engaging in sex work, and ran with a rough crowd. She had been slated to be a witness in the attempted murder case against Michael Hall, though investigators did not believe her death was directly connected to that trial. Last seen in the area of 7th Street and 4th Avenue by two cab drivers who knew her, Cheryl’s acquaintances largely refused to cooperate and the investigation went cold.

Anyone with information about Cheryl, her movements on October 24–25, 1986, or the missing red high-heeled shoe is urged to come forward.