Police probe robbery motive in Wheaton volleyball star’s murder
The fatal shooting of Wheaton volleyball standout Megan Boken was a probable robbery, St. Louis authorities said Monday, urging the public to turn over any video footage taken near the scene of the murder.
“Hopefully, the suspect is on camera somewhere, even several blocks away,” St. Louis police spokesman Dave Marzullo said. “We’ve got a good description of him.” Investigators had yet to locate any recordings, but Marzullo said several people saw a man fire twice into Boken’s parked Volkswagen about 2:15 p.m. Saturday.
The killing happened in an upscale area of St. Louis known as the Central West End. Boken, who lived in Wheaton, was apparently preparing to drive to St. Louis University for an alumni volleyball game, according to police.
Marzullo said investigators believe the suspect was trying to rob Boken, 23.
“It’s the logical premise right now,” he said. “There’s no evidence they knew each other. We don’t have any other thing to go on, quite frankly.”
There were conflicting eyewitness accounts of whether the suspect was inside Boken’s vehicle at any time. Marzullo said Boken was shot once in the chest and once in the neck.
“She was probably getting into her car,” he said.
Marzullo said the scene of the murder is surrounded by restaurants, bars and homes, and is frequented by college students. He said a neighborhood watch group is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
The shooter was described as a black man in his mid-20s, between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a medium complexion, thin build and short hair. He was wearing a charcoal gray shirt, khaki pants, white tennis shoes and a baseball cap.
Witnesses are asked to call Crime Stoppers at (866) 371-8477 and may remain anonymous.
Boken was a two-time Daily Herald all-area player while at St. Francis High School in Wheaton, helping lead the team to a pair of state championships. She remained a high-profile athlete at St. Louis University, where she was part of two teams that made appearances in the NCAA Tournament between 2007 and 2010.
Boken graduated last year with a degree in business administration and went to work as a financial adviser for Edward Jones in Wheaton.
“She was a real hardworking person — extremely friendly and outgoing,” said Edward Jones financial adviser Danielle Ferrari, who trained Boken and shared an office with her. “She had a great outlook on life, and it’s just devastating that a life like that would be cut so short for something like a robbery. It’s unreal.”
Boken had celebrated her 23rd birthday in June and talked often about spending time with family and watching one of her younger sisters play volleyball at St. Francis, Ferrari said.
Peg Kopec, who coached Boken at St. Francis for three seasons, remembered her as a “bright, beautiful and caring young woman who was joyful” and “easily coachable.”
“She was good athlete but a greater person,” Kopec said. “She had a big booming laugh and crinkly little eyes that sometimes contained some mischief. Her personality off the court was easygoing. She was a very nice person, very caring. And when she would play, it was like she would flip a switch. She would become so intense, people would tease her all the time.”
Kopec said Boken had visited the school over the summer to see her sister play volleyball.
“Our biggest challenge now is to accept the fact that we have to deal with the limited time we are given and find some forgiveness in our hearts,” Kopec said, calling the killing “senseless.”
St. Francis Athletic Director Dan Hardwick said memorial services may be held at the school, though no formal arrangements had been made as of Monday.
He described Boken as a highly respected athlete and “treasured” graduate.
“We view it like losing a family member,” he said. “I know her family is devastated. It’s a blow for all of us, and our hearts really go out to them.”