Victim's family seeks law to require GPS for offenders
Cindy Bischof might still be alive today if her stalker had been forced to wear an electronic monitoring device, according to her brother, Michael Bischof.
"We're talking about a loss of freedom," said Bischof, of Barrington. "There are victims out there living in fear, who are being stalked."
Michael's sister, Cindy Bischof, 43, was fatally shot and killed outside her Elmhurst real estate office by a former boyfriend, Michael Giroux, on March 7. Cindy Bischof had an order of protection against Giroux at the time.
Electronic monitoring bracelets are mostly used to keep track of molesters, but could be expanded to people who violate orders of protection, as Giroux had done, Michael Bischof said.
If Giroux were forced to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet, the attack might never have happened, he said. If the offender gets within a couple miles of the victim's home or work, the victim can be notified using a global positioning system.
"The technology is there," he said. "The offense took place outside her office" so such a system could of have warned her, saving her life.
Michael Bischof has started a Web site and nonprofit group to raise money to strengthen orders of protection and domestic violence laws. He has also started a scholarship fund for young women who attend DePaul University, which was his sister's alma mater.
Since his sister's death, people have already donated between $15,000 and $20,000, Michael Bischof said.
"It's been overwhelming," Bischof said. "People have responded at lighting speed."
Michael Bischof said his sister was so fearful of her ex that she wouldn't take a shower unless her mace spray, cell phone and keys were within reach. She even changed residences a few times in the last few months to avoid him.
One time, she came home to find him waiting for her in her dark garage, he said.
Cindy Bischof grew up in Mount Prospect and was the star of Prospect High School's class of 1982: homecoming queen, student council president, National Honor Society member and voted "most likely to succeed."
She went to Indiana University but transferred to DePaul University and earned a bachelor's degree in finance.
For more information or to donate, go to www.cindysmemorial.org.