On the night of August 7, 1962 18-year-old Ann Bergman and her roommate Rachel thought that they were going to spend the night at home. That is when 32-year-old Octavio "Chico" knocked on the door and wanted to take Ann out dancing.The two would go to the Town Lounge on 600 West State Street in Rockford, Illinois.
That evening the Town Lounge was having a dancing competition with the first prize being a bottle of pink champagne. Chico would park a block away and the two would go to the competition. The night ended on a happy note as they had won the pink champagne with their moves. The couple would leave around 12:50 a.m.
What people didn't know was that Chico and Ann did not make it to his vehicle. The two were abducted and forced into a vehicle. At 1:20 a.m. just 30 minutes after people saw Chico and Ann the Police Department got a call.
A truck drive spotted a man's body on a part of Belt Line Rd close to the Kishwaukee intersection. Police would arrive and find Chico's body. He had signs of a struggle and had been shot three times. Once in the shoulder and twice in the chest. He had other wounds and his shoes were scuffed up.
It's believed that Chico struggled with his killer or killers and was shot. It's thought that Chico attempted to leap from the vehicle. The driver then stopped the car and shot Chico two more times and leaving with Ann.
When Chico was identified a frantic search for Ann was done as the couple had been together that morning. The police were able to trace the couple's whereabouts throughout the night except for a seven-minute window where they were forced into a vehicle and driven to the outskirts of town.
Ann would be searched for, but not found for another 6 days in Ogle County. On August 14th a man was walking with his children down a road by his home. He would spot a foot sticking out of the grass along Highway 72 on the east side of Rock River. It was Ann and unfortantly before the police could notify the family, they found out from the news.
A coroner would conduct and autopsy under a tent placed where she was found. She had injuries including a shattered shoulder and was shot through the heart. It's believed that Ann died the same morning that Chico did. It's possible that Ann was even killed the same time that Chico was and for some reason was transfered to where she was found.
Their case remains unsolved.
SOURCES:
Winnebago County Sheriff's Office
Mt. Vernon Register-News August 15, 1962
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