Few details released in fatal Hanover Park stabbing

Mystery continues to shroud the stabbing death of a 56-year-old woman in Hanover Park as authorities provided few new details Friday.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said a 56-year-old Hanover Park woman died of multiple stab wounds to the back. The office identified her as Vatisla Thakkar, though a number listed for her address has the surname spelled "Thakker."

She was found unresponsive at about 1:45 p.m. Thursday near the entrance of a discount store at 5662 Arlington Drive East. Emergency crews took the woman to St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, where authorities said she was pronounced dead.

According to a Hanover Park Police news release, Thakkar was an employee at the discount store.

As police continue to investigate, Village President Rodney Craig said not enough information is known to say if the incident was isolated.

"I wish I knew more. I'm alarmed myself," Craig said. "We really want to find out what happened to her and we don't have all the information. It was an awful event to occur, especially so near to the school."

Officials at nearby Greenbrook Elementary and Spring Wood Middle schools locked down their campuses as a safety precaution Thursday as police worked the crime scene, according to the Keeneyville Elementary District 20 Web site. Police gave officials clearance to dismiss students at their regular time.

Several Spring Wood students, hanging out near the discount store after school Friday, said they'd seen Thakkar lying facedown in front of the store the afternoon before.

Rumors that the incident was gang-related were swirling around the school Friday, they said.

Maria Estrada, a resident of a townhouse on Catalina Drive, adjacent to Arlington Drive East, noted an increased police presence in the neighborhood after the incident.

Hanover Park police did not respond to multiple phone call and e-mail requests for further comment Friday. No explanation was given as to why police initially said there was no indication of foul play.

• Daily Herald staff writer Lee Filas contributed to this report.