Conant to host Engelhardt fundraiser Saturday

A week after the Engelhardt murders, Conant High School continues to heal, and on Saturday the Hoffman Estates school is planning a fundraiser for the family.

Eighteen-year-old Laura Engelhardt was set to graduate this spring from Conant, and had recently decided to attend the University of Missouri before her life was cut short.

Wanting to honor her memory, the Conant community is raising money for the family. Saturday's event, which starts at 1 p.m., is open to the public, Conant High School Principal Tim Cannon said. The school is located at 700 E. Cougar Trail, off Plum Grove Road south of Higgins Roads.

Purple ribbons designed to raise domestic violence awareness will be sold. The ribbons can be tied around trees on Conant's campus or be taken home. Engelhardt's friend, Katie McCoy, has also ordered rubber bracelets with the words "Stop Dating Violence" followed by a heart and "4-17-09" as a way to honor Laura.

On April 17, Laura, her father Alan Engelhardt and grandmother Marlene Gacek, were fatally stabbed at their Hoffman Estates' home. Police that day arrested D'Andre Howard, the 20-year-old boyfriend of Laura's sister, Amanda Engelhardt, and charged him with three counts of murder. Howard also wounded Laura's mother, Shelly Englehardt.

Authorities haven't alleged any violence in Howard's and Amanda Engelhardt's relationship, though in 2006 an ex-girlfriend alleged Howard threatened to kill her and filed an order of protection against him.

Laura's friends believe that taking notice of signs of domestic violence might have made a difference.

McCoy said earlier in the week she ordered 2,000 of the bracelets from an Internet company in green, Laura's favorite color. Cannon said today the shipment has finally arrived. There are plans to sell the bracelets for $2 to benefit the family. Cannon also said there will be an area Saturday for those wanting to write memorial messages.

Laura's fellow seniors, for the most part, have been out of school the last two days with underclassmen being given standardized tests. Conant's halls were quiet over the last few days, and the seniors' absence created even more of a lull, Cannon said. The community seems focused on preparing for the next stage of grieving.

Funerals are expected to be held sometime next week after Shelly Engelhardt is released from the hospital.

"I think it will be hard for them. The finality is going to require us to provide as much support as we can," Cannon said.

Laura's brother, Jeff Engelhardt, said Thursday that his mother was doing better and could be released from the hospital over the weekend. St. Alexius Medical Center spokeswoman Cyndi Alexander said Friday afternoon that Shelly Engelhardt was resting in the Hoffman Estates' hospital in good condition.

Laura graduated in 2005 from St. Peter Lutheran School in Schaumburg from a class of 32, which included McCoy.

Money raised Saturday will benefit the Engelhardt family fund, established by St. Peter's.

Those wanting to donate can also make out checks to St. Peter Lutheran Church and send them to Engelhardt Family Fund, c/o Heritage Bank, 1535 W. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, IL, 60194. Make sure "Engelhardt Family Fund" is written on the check's memo line.

Alternatively, a fund has been set up in downstate Carbondale, where Jeff Engelhardt attends Southern Illinois University. Donations can be sent there to Engelhardt Memorial Fund, c/o the SIU Credit Union, 1217 W. Main St., Carbondale, IL, 62901.

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