Discovery of Human Remains in McKinley Park Lagoon

On September 23, 2016, a Chicago Park District worker made a gruesome discovery during a routine cleanup of the McKinley Park lagoon. Inside a bag submerged in the water was a human head, later identified as that of 20-year-old Quesola Mims. This shocking find marked the beginning of a complex and heart-wrenching murder investigation.

Identification of the Victim

The identification process took nearly two months. In November 2016, the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that the remains belonged to Quesola Mims, a young mother from Chicago's South Side. Known affectionately as "KeKe Smith" to her family and friends, Quesola was last seen on September 21, 2016, just two days before the discovery in the lagoon. She was reported to have been on her way to start a new job, a significant step towards providing a better future for herself and her 18-month-old daughter....Read More