Chicago Man Charged with Burying Mother and Sister in Backyard

Authorities have charged a man from Chicago, Illinois with two counts of concealment of death after allegedly burying both his mother and his sister in his backyard, local police revealed.

On Thursday, Lyons Police Chief Thomas Herion revealed that Michael Melko, 45, would be facing two felony counts following the discovery of his mother, Jean Lelko (79), and his sister’s, Jennifer Lelko (44), bodies in the backyard of their home in Chicago, as per an Associated Press report.

Bodies of a Chicago Man's Mother and Sister Found in His Backyard

Lelko reportedly told police that his mother had died back in 2015 while his sister had passed away back in 2019. Along with the two counts, he may also face separate charges for getting the welfare checks that were meant for his mother after she died.

Lelko’s brother, John Lelko (41), was also arrested by authorities, but he has yet to be charged. Neither of the two brothers has also been charged with crimes in connection to the women’s deaths, but Lyon’s medical office failed to determine their cause of death, as per the AP report.

The younger brother might be facing charges of obstruction after reportedly telling police that his mother and sister were living elsewhere, even though he knew of their deaths.

Charges of concealment of death carry a penalty of two to five years’ prison time as well as a maximum fine worth $25,000.

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