Crime & Safety

Cook County Inmate Murder for Hire Plot Foiled

While incarcerated in the Cook County Jail, inmate Brian Thurman tried hiring someone to kill his 11-year-old accuser, her 16-year-old sister and mother as he faces predatory criminal sexual assault charges.

A Cook County Jail inmate promised his car and money to what he believed was a hit-man, to have his 11-year-old accuser, her sister and mother killed, according to a press release from the Cook County Sheriff's Department.

Brian Thurman, 28, of Melrose Park was charged with predatory criminal sexual assault against the girl, for allegedly assaulting her in an unincorporated Leyden Township motel on January 13, the release stated.

While he was in custody at the jail, he asked another inmate to murder the family members.   

Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On January 30, Thurman was given the phone number of what he believed was a hit-man, who was actually an undercover Cook County Sheriff's investigator.

According to the release, during a susequent conversation, Thurman promised the supposed hit-man his Mercury Mountaineer and $8,000 to commit the murders. 

Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Then, on February 4, the undercover investigator visited Thurman at Cook County Jail, where he requested the hit be done as soon as possible, and again promised the money and the vehicle for the job to be done, according to the release. 

Thurman now faces three counts of Murder for Hire, and three counts of Solicitation of Murder, which are both Class X felonies. 

A bond hearing is scheduled for February 10 at the Cook County Criminal Court Building. 

Sheriff's detectives are asking for tips from the public regarding other young girls who have frequented the motel room in unincorporated Leyden Township on Chicago's northwest side in the Mannheim Road area. 

Anyone with infromation is asked to contact the Cook County Sheriff's Detective Unit at 708-865-4896. 

Information provided by the Cook County Sheriff's Office. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.