Chicago woman convicted of killing, dismembering landlord, hiding some remains in freezer

CHICAGO– A Chicago woman has been convicted of killing and dismembering her landlord and placing some of the victim’s remains in a freezer at the boarding house where she lived.

A Cook County jury late Monday convicted 37-year-old Sandra Kolalou of all charges she faced, including first-degree murder, dismembering a body, concealing a homicidal death and aggravated identity theft, news outlets reported . Her sentencing is scheduled for June 20.

Prosecutors said Frances Walker, 69, served Kolalou with an eviction notice from a boarding house she owned before Kolalou killed and dismembered her in October 2022.

Kolalou, whose lawyers plan to appeal the verdict, was arrested and charged after Walker’s severed head, arms and legs were discovered in a kitchen freezer in the home on Chicago’s Northwest Side.

She was arrested after police say she pulled a knife on a tow truck driver who drove her to a Chicago shoreline beach. Prosecutors said Kolalou dumped a heavy bag in a trash can there and then pulled a knife on the driver after he refused to take her to another location.

Members of Walker’s family told reporters Monday that the verdict provides them with some closure.

“I believe justice has been done, and I’m glad society will be a little safer without this person,” said Walker’s younger brother, Arnold Walker.