CHICAGO — An Evanston man was charged in the 1988 sexual assault and murder of an 81-year-old woman, police said Thursday.
Prentice Phillips, 48, was charged with first-degree murder in the 25-year-old case, police announced. Phillips is currently in Cook County Jail for an unrelated assault.
Police said Phillips broke into a Rogers Park apartment in the 7200 block of North Sheridan Road about 3 a.m. on July 11, 1988. There he sexually assaulted an 81-year-old woman, who later died of injuries from the attack.
Police recovered DNA evidence from the scene, which was processed earlier this year under a cold case grant. It was identified as belonging to Phillips, police said. When detectives learned he was already in custody, they questioned and charged him.
Phillips is scheduled to appear in court Friday.
