Chicago police remain baffled by the slaying last week of Kevin Clewer, 31, who was found stabbed to death in his apartment on a quiet block in the heart of gay Lakeview. Clewer, who lived with an unidentified male roommate at 3444 Elaine Place, sustained 42 stab wounds to his back, according to information obtained by WBBM Newsradio 780.
As Windy City Times went to press, there were no suspects or arrests in the case.
Unidentified sources disclosed to WBBM that investigators believe a domestic dispute or 'crime of passion' was the motivating factor behind Clewer's murder, a theory bolstered by the fact that there were no signs of forced entry into the apartment. In another story, the Chicago Sun-Times' young adult imprint, Red Streak, reported in its March 26 edition that Clewer was killed sometime between 1 a.m. and 6 p.m. on March 24. Its sources also stated that police were leaning toward domestic violence as the trigger for the killing.
Management of the Elaine Place Apartments, which handles leasing and maintenance for Clewer's building along with several other properties on Elaine Place, Cornelia and Roscoe streets, declined to comment due to the ongoing police investigation. However, a representative confirmed that the slaying is considered an isolated incident involving a perpetrator most likely known to the victim. The representative said,'We're trying to reassure everybody (who lives in the Elaine Place Apartments) that this is still a safe place to live. It's been very traumatic for everyone.'
The identity and whereabouts of the man who shared Clewer's apartment are unknown, and police will not comment as to whether or not the roommate is a suspect in the killing.
In the absence of official information, some nervous gays are drawing comparisons to Clewer's murder and that of theater director Brad Winters, who was killed last August. In that case, Winters' partially decomposed corpse was discovered in his Lincoln Park apartment after concerned colleagues notified authorities that he had failed to appear for work. Although Winters was also stabbed, according to published reports police do not believe the two murders are related.
Over the years, there have also been crimes called 'stranger danger' where a victim has brought a stranger home. Often when gays are killed there is a 'homosexual overkill' element to the crime, where the attacker goes far beyond the level of force needed to kill the person.
As Windy City Times went to press, rumors were circulating in Clewer's neighborhood that his roommate was missing and at large.
Persons who believe they may have information relevant to the death of Kevin Clewer are encouraged to contact the Chicago Police Department's Area 3/Violent Crimes unit at (773) 744-8261.