In a solemn sentencing at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building, Sandra Kolalou, 39, maintained her innocence as Judge Ursula Walowski sentenced her to 58 years in prison for the murder of her landlord, 69-year-old Frances Walker. Walker’s dismembered body parts were discovered in a freezer at the Westridge Boarding home on North Washtenaw Avenue in Chicago during a police investigation into her disappearance in 2022.
Kolalou, who was a tenant at Walker’s boarding house at the time of her disappearance, was found guilty earlier this year of first-degree murder, dismemberment, and aggravated identity theft. Addressing the court, Kolalou asserted her innocence, stating, “I understand a jury found me legally liable for murder. But I did not commit this crime. With God as my witness, I never harmed Fran.”
Walker’s family, present during the sentencing, expressed profound sorrow. “Sandra asked the judge for mercy, but she did not give my sister any mercy,” said Benita Walker, the victim’s sister. Arnold Walker, the victim’s brother, lamented, “It’s just extra sad that it was like one of the best people that I knew in my life. She had no enemies.”
Kolalou’s defense attorneys have indicated plans to appeal the verdict, citing flaws in the police investigation. They contend that procedural errors may have influenced the trial’s outcome.
Also Read:
- NYPD Reports Woman Fatally Shot and Found in Bag on Manhattan Street
- Chicago Man Sentenced to Life for Brutal Family Murders
The sentencing marks the conclusion of a tragic case that has deeply affected the community and highlighted the complexities of criminal investigations and legal proceedings in Chicago.
