A 23-year-old woman was found dead with a gunshot wound in a Gold Coast hotel Monday morning; very unnerving news for guests who are staying at the Whitehall Hotel at 105 E. Delaware.
The victim -- identified as Brianna Gardner of the 5700 block of University Boulevard in Dallas, Texas -- was found partially clothed and suffered a gunshot wound in her head, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.
Authorities say she had been arrested twice before for prostitution--once in Texas and once in the River North neighborhood just last week. Garner had also once auditioned for the FOX series "So You Think You Can Dance."
The woman was found around 10 a.m. when a hotel employee discovered the
woman's body inside a seventh floor hotel room, police News Affairs
Officer Jose Estrada said.
The news of the murder left guests stunned.
John Bunch and his wife Selena are visiting from Dallas. While they didn't hear any gunshots, they agree it is an 'eerie' feeling. Despite what happened, they don't intend to check out.
Selena told FOX News Chicago that it's her husband's birthday and that they "come here every couple of years and stay for his birthday all the time." She went on to say that it's a special hotel for the two of them and it's shocking to think there was a murder at the hotel where they were staying.
Monday night, a Chicago Police detective was canvassing the scene, including going into the Four Seasons. Outside that hotel there's a security camera, and no doubt officer wanted to see if it captured any video of the victim and whether she walked by with anyone Sunday night.
The Whitehall declined to comment on what happened and wouldn't even tell some guests what was going on. "We saw the ambulance and some police cars pull up and wondered what was going on," said Bob McKirgan from Phoenix. "I actually ran into a police officer in the elevator who said it was an isolated incident. Then, a detective came by to ask if we'd heard anything. It was a little shocking."
Police are still looking for a suspect in her murder.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:26 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:26:18 GMT
One adult and 11 juveniles were arrested Saturday night after police responded to groups of teens running through traffic around North Michigan Avenue on the Gold Coast.
One adult and 11 juveniles were arrested Saturday night after police responded to groups of teens running through traffic around North Michigan Avenue on the Gold Coast.
Sunday, May 19 2013 6:44 PM EDT2013-05-19 22:44:15 GMT
Skokie Police Chief Tony Scarpelli said Sunday police still have no suspect in custody in connection with a shooting Friday night near just outside of Westfield's Old Orchard Shopping Center.
Skokie Police Chief Tony Scarpelli said Sunday police still have no suspect in custody in connection with a shooting Friday night near just outside of Westfield's Old Orchard Shopping Center.
Sunday, May 19 2013 3:10 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:10:22 GMT
The derailment of an Amtrak City of New Orleans train on the Near South Side Sunday morning led to delays and a couple cancellations for trains on Metra's Rock Island District line.
The derailment of an Amtrak City of New Orleans train on the Near South Side Sunday morning led to delays and a couple cancellations for trains on Metra's Rock Island District line.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:32 PM EDT2013-05-19 16:32:45 GMT
A 23-year-old woman was killed and four others were critically injured when two cars crashed into a building in the Far South Side Washington Heights neighborhood early Sunday.
A 23-year-old woman was killed and four others were critically injured when two cars crashed into a building in the Far South Side Washington Heights neighborhood early Sunday.
Sunday, May 19 2013 11:50 AM EDT2013-05-19 15:50:06 GMT
One number in Saturday night's Powerball drawing was the difference for a dozen Illinois players between being $10,000 richer and living the life of a multi-millionaire - whose ticket was purchased in Florida.
One number in Saturday night's Powerball drawing was the difference for a dozen Illinois players between being $10,000 richer and living the life of a multi-millionaire - whose ticket was purchased in Florida.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:52 AM EDT2013-05-19 14:52:09 GMT
Four people have been killed and at least 15 other people wounded -- including a 12-year-old boy left in critical condition -- in shootings around the city since Friday night.
Four people have been killed and at least 15 other people wounded -- including a 12-year-old boy left in critical condition -- in shootings around the city since Friday night.
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