ILLINOIS STATE POLICE SEEKS THE PUBLIC’S HELP OBTAINING INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEATH OF 17-YEAR-OLD CHRISTOPHER PINEDA IN 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

BLUE ISLAND – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigations Zone 1 continues to investigate the death of 17-year-old Christopher Pineda in 2007 and is asking for the public’s help to provide any information that may help solve this case.

On Friday, March 30, 2007, the Blue Island Police Department (BIPD) responded to a call about a body found in the Little Calumet River near the area of Broadway Street and Aulwurm Drive. Upon arrival, they discovered a deceased male who had been submerged in water. BIPD requested ISP handle the investigation as the waterway was under ISP’s jurisdiction. The male was later identified as missing 17-year-old Christopher Pineda of Chicago. Evidence indicated that Pineda had sustained blunt force trauma to the head and died as a result of those injuries.

According to Pineda’s friends and family, on March 23, 2007, Pineda went to school at Whitney Young High School, and afterwards, he went with his girlfriend to her place of employment on the southside of Chicago. Pineda did not stay long and reportedly told his girlfriend that he was heading home. Pineda was last seen walking northbound on Ewing near 108^th in Chicago.

At the time of his disappearance he was described as:

Sex: Male
Race: white/Hispanic
Age: 17
Height: 5’05”
Weight: 150 pounds
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Clothing: Jeans, black polo with gold stripes, black hooded sweatshirt, gym shoes

If anyone recalls seeing Pineda before his death or has any information about Pineda’s death, including seeing him with anyone, witnessing or hearing about him being beaten or placed in the water, or anything else they believe can help our investigators, we ask they send us a tip using the ISP’s Investigative Tip website or contact ISP Zone 1 at 847-608-3200.