Man admits to 1977 killing

A former South suburban man has pleaded guilty to killing a high school classmate in 1977.

Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez says 51-year-old Fred Rogers, formerly of Flossmoor, entered the plea Friday. He was sentenced to 22 years in prison. Rogers admitted to the killing of Ken Hellstrom, who was stabbed as he walked home from work in Homewood 35 years ago. He collapsed at the back door to him home and later died at a local hospital.

Rogers was 16 at the time. Hellstrom was 17, and the pair attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School. Rogers was charged in 2007 after a cold case investigation.