Man arrested in ‘execution style’ killing of Momence bar owner waives extradition
By WLS Staff
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MOMENCE, Ill. (WLS) — A suspect in the murder of a bar owner in Momence has waived extradition after being arrested in Indiana.
Julius E. Burkes Jr., 47, was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon, just a couple of hours after the Kankakee County sheriff went in front of cameras and made an appeal for the public’s help. Investigators say a flood tips helped lead them to that suspect.
Burkes Jr. appeared in court in Indiana Wednesday morning, where he waived extradition. He also told the judge he is already on bond for a previous charge.
He’s accused of killing 30-year-old Courtney Drysdale, who was found dead at the rural Momence bar she owned Monday.
The judge ruled that Burkes Jr. will not be released to Illinois until his pending matter in Indiana is resolved. His next court date is Feb. 26.
Burkes was arrested as he left his Hammond, Indiana home and is being held on suspicion of murder.
“We were overwhelmed at the response from so many people throughout the community in terms of tips and information provided to our investigators,” Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey said.
The arrest came after investigators released images of Burkes to the public and offered a $5,000 reward in connection with the Monday morning killing of Drysdale.
“Courtney was deeply loved, not only by her family and her young daughter, but also by the many patrons and friends whose lives she’s touched,” Downey said.
Investigators say Drysdale was getting ready to open The Line bar along Route 114 around 11 a.m. Monday when Burkes allegedly entered the business, showed a gun and demanded money from the cash register.
“Despite her cooperation, the suspect shot her twice execution-style before fleeing the scene,” Downey said at a press conference earlier Tuesday.
Surveillance cameras from the bar captured images showing Burkes in a baseball cap, glasses and a bright yellow jacket.
“If you see this person or someone resembling his physical appearance, I am pleading with you to simply keep a distance and call authorities,” Downey had said.
The Kankakee sheriff said Burkes tried to remove a recording device, but investigators were still able to recover surveillance video.
Investigators said the suspect then left in a white BMW sedan, driving toward Indiana.
Investigators added that it is unclear if the suspect was a regular at the bar.
Earlier Tuesday, a deputy was seen carrying a brown bag out of The Line bar, where a lit candle was left outside in Drysdale’s honor.
Those who knew Drysdale say they do not understand why someone would want to harm her.
“It feels like a really big relief, if I’m being honest, that someone is in custody to do justice for Courtney because he took a beautiful soul,” Hailey Gershon said.
Gershon, a longtime friend who also works at the bar, says Drysdale leaves behind a fiancé and a school-age daughter.
“I mean it: She was probably the nicest person. I could always go to her for anything,” Gershon said. “She would literally give up the whole world for somebody and would always be there for everybody, even though if she was upset or going through things. She would push those aside for others and, like, make sure they were happy.”
The Line bar posted that it will be closed until further notice.
Drysdale was a longtime bartender at that bar before becoming the owner and is well-known to the patrons there.
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