Guadalupe Maldonado, recently moved from Mexico

Originally published Jan. 10, 1993

Family members of Guadalupe Maldonado, one of seven people found slain Saturday at Brown's Chicken & Pasta in Palatine, said the 47-year-old wanted the American dream - a job, a house and a good education for his three sons.

After landing the Brown's Chicken job just 15 days ago, things were looking up. But when Guadalupe didn't return home from work Friday night, the family had a bad feeling about his absence, said Juana Maldonado, Guadalupe's sister-in-law.

"We can't believe this," said Juana, who is married to Guadalupe's brother, Pedro. "It's incredible. There is no security here."

Guadalupe's death shattered what was an optimistic two weeks for the family, said Juana. Guadalupe's wife, Beatrice, is also Juana's sister, and both families were glad to spend Christmas together in Juana and Pedro's Palatine home.

But that holiday joy is being replaced by extreme sadness as the reality of Guadalupe's death sinks in, especially for Guadalupe's sons - Juan Pablo, 13; Javier, 10; and Salvador, 5. All were adjusting to life in Palatine after arriving from Mexico around Christmas.

Now, Beatrice and her sons will be returning to Mexico, a country they left in order to make a better life for themselves.

"Guadalupe wanted to find a job, put the kids in school and get a home," Juana said. "But things don't work out sometimes."