Lefkow Killer Found?

By Rachelle Bowden in News on Mar 10, 2005 3:47PM

Bart Ross committed suicide during a routine traffic stop in West Allis last night and police found a note in his minivan claiming responsibility for killing the husband and mother of U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow.

In 2004, Lefkow had heard a medical malpractice lawsuit Ross filed against the University of IL over cancer treatment. Ross was representing himself and Lefkow dismissed the case on a technicality. The note in the minivan blamed Judge Lefkow for his losing everything - his home, his family, his life. It contained details that were never released to the public and said straight out that he'd killed Lefkow's family. Also in the note was a list of people who Ross said mistreated him, including judges.

Ross was living on Chicago's North Side, but since neighbors told the Trib that they hadn't seen him in months, it's suspected that he was living in his van. Also, inside the van police found 300 .22-caliber bullets, the same caliber as the casings found in the Lefkow house. Now to do some DNA testing and comparing with DNA found in the crime scene.

Before last night police had been looking at Ross as a suspect, but not intensely. Chicagoist wonders if he resembles either of the sketches that were released late last week. And if so, did he have an accomplice?

Update:NBC5 got a letter in the mail signed by Bart Ross, admitting killing Judge Lefkow's husband and mother on Feb. 28. Read excerpts of the letter here.. or if you're really good at reading horrible penmanship, read the actual letter here (pdf).

Image via WTMJ