Ex charged in murder of Chicago woman

The ex-boyfriend of a Chicago drug sales representative found dead in September has been charged in her death.

Reginald Potts, 30, of Chicago is being held on first-degree murder charges in the death of 28-year-old Nailah Franklin, said John Gorman, chief spokesman for the Cook County state's attorney's office.

Chicago police confirmed the charges late Friday.

Franklin's unclothed, decomposing body was found behind several vacant businesses in south suburban Calumet City eight days after her family reported her missing on Sept. 19. She was identified using dental records.

Days before her body was found, her car and some personal items were found near an abandoned building in Hammond, Ind., three miles from Calumet City.

Her disappearance set off a frantic search. Family members and volunteers papered the city with fliers, took out a newspaper ad seeking the public's help and launched a Web site. The family also offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to her whereabouts.

A day before she was reported missing, Franklin sent friends and family what they said was an uncharacteristically vague text message that she was having dinner and would call later. She never did.

Franklin had recently filed a police report about threatening phone calls she received from a man she dated briefly. It is unclear if that man was Potts.

Potts' initial court appearance is set for Noon on Monday at the Cook County Criminal Courthouse, Gorman said.