A woman accused of killing and dismembering the 69-year-old owner of a boarding home on the Northwest Side pleaded not guilty to murder charges Wednesday.
Sandra Kolalou, 36, also pleaded not guilty to concealment of a homicidal death, aggravated battery, robbery and dismembering a human body in connection with the killing of Frances Walker in October, according to Cook County court records.
Another boarding house tenant had reported Walker missing Oct. 10. The tenant also warned police about Kolalou, who had earlier hauled a “large plastic bag” to a tow truck.
When officers arrived at the home to investigate the missing person report, Kolalou came out of the wood-framed house carrying a black bag. After speaking with the officers, she consented to a search of her room.
The officers “found nothing incriminating” and sent her on her way, prosecutors have said. She got into a tow truck that she had called and was driven to Foster Beach. Once there, she took the bag and dumped its contents into a trash can.
Kolalou was arrested after pulling a knife on the tow truck driver when he refused to take her to another location. Officers found another garbage bag in the back of the truck. They obtained a search warrant and found part of Walker’s remains in a freezer, as well as evidence of blood throughout the home, including on two knives.
Prosecutors said Walker had served Kolalou with an eviction notice before her attack.
Kolalou is due back in court Dec. 20.
After about 7½ hours of deliberations, the jury convicted Sandra Kolalou of all charges including first-degree murder, dismembering Frances Walker’s body, concealing a homicidal death and aggravated identity theft. Her attorney plans to appeal.
Sandra Kolalou, 37, denied killing and then cutting up Frances Walker in 2022 at the Northwest Side home they shared.
Sandra Kolalou’s trial has been set for July 17, just eight months after she was charged with the murder of 69-year-old Frances Walker. The breakneck pace for the case is the result of a demand for a speedy trial by Kolalou’s attorney.
Sandra Kolalou faces murder and other charges after Chicago police searched a Northwest Side home were she rented a room and found 69-year-old Frances Walker’s head in a kitchen freezer, officials said.
Sandra Kolalou, 36, is accused of killing Frances Walker, who was reported missing Oct. 10. Parts of Walker’s remains were found in a freezer.
A routine tow Monday turned out to be anything but for Antonio Coria. “It’s like something out of a movie,” he said.
By Tom Schuba
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Sandra Kolalou, 36, faces counts of murder, concealment of a homicidal death and aggravated battery in connection with the killing of Frances Walker this week.
Sandra Kolalou, 36, is accused of killing Frances Walker, 69. Police say some remains were found in a freezer, others are missing. Friends describe the victim as “gentle, sweet, generous, kind.”
