Prosecutors: Wheaton couple tried to cover up heroin death with bleach

A Wheaton couple tried to destroy evidence in a 37-year-old woman's heroin-related death by putting bleach on her body, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Edward Kliest, 43, and Tiffany Vanderbusch, 22, both of the 0N200 block of Silverleaf Boulevard, appeared in DuPage County bond court on drug charges.

Authorities said Kliest sold heroin to Jennifer Andolfi of Carol Stream shortly before she was found dead Monday afternoon inside the apartment of Kliest's father on the 600 block of East Gundersen Drive in Carol Stream.

Assistant State's Attorney Audrey Anderson said the victim, who lived in the same building, lost consciousness after using heroin in the bathroom. After learning of the apparent overdose, Kliest returned to the apartment with Vanderbusch and they tried to clean up the crime scene by putting bleach on and around the victim's body, she said.

Anderson said police searched the couple's home near Wheaton and recovered heroin packets and drug paraphernalia. She said Kliest also made incriminating statements to investigators.

Kliest and Vanderbusch were charged with heroin possession. Kliest was also charged with delivering heroin to Andolfi. Whether additional charges will be filed remains under investigation, Anderson said.

In court Tuesday, Judge Michael Wolfe set bail at $750,000 for Kliest and $75,000 for Vanderbusch.

Anderson said Kliest has had 10 felony convictions since 1989 for offenses including burglary, retail theft and animal cruelty. Vanderbusch has prior convictions for trespassing, disorderly conduct and battery, according to court records.

Monday's death marked the second heroin-related fatality reported in recent months at a stretch of apartment complexes along East Gundersen Drive in Carol Stream.

In July, a 23-year-old Chicago man was charged with supplying the heroin that killed 38-year-old Stephen Briston of Wheaton, who police said was found dead at a different building than Andolfi on the 600 block of East Gundersen.

“Once again we see a tragic, senseless death due to an apparent drug overdose,” State's Attorney Robert Berlin said. “People have got to learn that no good will come if they get involved in drugs.”

In a third, unrelated case, a man is charged with stabbing his wife in the chest during a domestic dispute last month at the same apartment building where Andolfi died.

Carol Stream Police Cmdr. Ken George said Tuesday that authorities hope to address criminal activity in that area through neighborhood meetings and by working with the property managers and local officials.

DuPage coroner's officials did not release information about Andolfi's death but said an autopsy was expected to be complete Tuesday.