Crime
16-Year-Old Girl Found Beaten to Death in Chicago Horan Park Identified as Kayla Aaliyah Joyce Love
CHICAGO, IL – Authorities have identified the teenage girl found brutally beaten to death at a West Side park as 16-year-old Kayla Aaliyah Joyce Love, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
On March 17, 2025, Chicago Police responded to Horan Park, located at Van Buren and Whipple, after receiving reports of an unconscious female.
Upon arrival, officers discovered the teen lying face down, barefoot, and unresponsive.
Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene, but she was tragically pronounced dead on arrival (DOA).
A preliminary autopsy revealed that Kayla had suffered multiple blunt force trauma injuries to her head and neck, as well as stab wounds to her face.
According to police, Kayla was reported missing on March 16, 2025, after last being seen around 6:00 p.m. at a McDonald’s restaurant near Roosevelt and Kedzie with friends.
Employees at the establishment reportedly asked the group to leave around 8:00 p.m. due to disruptive behavior.
Authorities are investigating reports that a female was seen being assaulted by a male at Horan Park on the same night Kayla was reported missing.
It remains unclear whether this incident is connected to her death.
No suspects are currently in custody, and Area 4 Detectives are leading the homicide investigation.
Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously at CPDTIP.COM or by contacting the Chicago Police Department’s 11th District at (312) 746-8386.
Kayla, a junior at Manley High School, is the second Chicago Public Schools (CPS) student found deceased on the same day.
Less than three miles away, officers discovered the body of a 13-year-old boy—also reported missing—with a gunshot wound to the head, behind an apartment building.
Authorities continue to investigate both deaths as the community mourns the tragic loss of two young lives.
MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Authorities have confirmed that a suspect is in custody following a shooting incident at the Meridian Mall on Friday afternoon.
As a result, the lockdown at the mall has been lifted.
The Meridian Township Police Department issued a public advisory just before 2:00 p.m., urging residents and shoppers to avoid the area near the Dick’s Sporting Goods entrance while officers conducted an active investigation at the scene.
At this time, police have not released specific details regarding the nature of the shooting, including whether anyone was injured or the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s arrest.
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the incident and are expected to provide additional information as it becomes available.
The public is asked to remain clear of the immediate area to allow for the ongoing investigation.