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Naperville cops hit roadblocks in murder probe

With no new leads and an almost empty tip line, Naperville police have grown frustrated in the investigation of Cathleen Lewis’ murder.

The 59-year-old woman was found dead June 8 in her Naperville townhouse after being struck several times on the head.

Her brother, Mark Lewis, of Lakemoor, has been identified as a person of interest in the case. He also has been charged with identity theft after police said he was involved in forgery of his mother’s bank account.

But as of Friday, police said they have been unable to find Mark Lewis or the green, 1999 Ford Explorer with an Illinois license plate reading 775 8696 that they believe he was driving.

“We have no credit or debit card usage, no telephone calls, no checks written. We have nothing and it’s frustrating,” Sgt. Gregg Bell said Friday. “It makes you wonder how this guy is living and going about his business.”

Lewis’ information has been placed in a nationwide law enforcement database, Bell said, but calls concerning the man have been few and far between.

“Our investigators are working with everything they’ve got, but we just haven’t gotten that magic phone call or tip that we need,” Bell said. “The public needs to know we’re still relying on them to assist us with anything they may know (about Lewis and his whereabouts).”

The body of Cathleen Lewis was discovered at her townhouse after her mother called police requesting a well-being check. An autopsy conducted June 9 by the Will County coroner’s office showed multiple injuries due to blunt head trauma, which authorities said was caused by an assault.

As of Friday, police still had not identified the weapon. They do, however, believe Cathleen Lewis knew her assailant.

Lewis and her 83-year-old mother lived in the townhouse together, but her mother was not home when she called police on June 8 to ask them to check on Cathleen.

Anyone with information is asked to call Naperville police at (630) 420-6147 or Crime Stoppers at (630) 420-6006. Officials have offered a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest.

Naperville police say they are still looking for Mark R. Lewis, 51, of Lakemoor, who has been identified as a person of interest in the slaying of his sister, Cathleen Lewis. He was last known to be driving a green, 1999 Ford Explorer with an Illinois license number of 775 8696. Courtesy Naperville police
Recent developments into the murder investigation of Cathleen A. Lewis of Naperville have brought police to focus on a person of interest. Police believe Mark R. Lewis, Cathleen’s brother, was involved in identity theft and forgery of his mother´s bank account.