John Folan Found Dead Near Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling, IL; Prospect Heights Police Investigating Possible Hit-and-Run at 79 East Palatine Frontage Road.

WHEELING, Ill. – A death investigation is underway in Chicago’s northwest suburbs after a 68-year-old man was found dead under mysterious circumstances near the Chicago Executive Airport early Sunday morning. The victim has been identified as John Folan of Prospect Heights, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Authorities were dispatched just after 9:00 a.m. to the area of 79 East Palatine Frontage Road in Wheeling, following a report of an unconscious male lying along the airport’s fence line. When officers from the Prospect Heights Police Department arrived, they discovered Folan on the ground, unresponsive and cold to the touch. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A preliminary investigation suggests the possibility that Folan may have been struck by a vehicle—potentially a hit-and-run—but officials have emphasized that the exact circumstances remain unconfirmed. No witnesses were present when officers arrived, and no vehicles were found nearby that could be immediately linked to a crash or incident. No suspects have been identified, and no arrests have been made.

The investigation is active and ongoing, with authorities asking anyone who may have seen something suspicious or who has information to contact the Prospect Heights Police Department at 847-398-5511.

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The Scene: 79 East Palatine Frontage Road Near Chicago Executive Airport

The location where John Folan’s body was discovered is a significant piece of the puzzle. 79 East Palatine Frontage Road is situated in Wheeling, Illinois, directly adjacent to the Chicago Executive Airport (formerly known as Palwaukee Airport). The airport is a dual-runway general aviation facility that serves corporate jets, private aircraft, and flight schools. It straddles the border between Wheeling and Prospect Heights, making jurisdictional coordination between the two police departments routine.

The frontage road runs parallel to Palatine Road, a busy arterial route that sees substantial vehicle traffic, especially on weekends. The area is a mix of airport infrastructure, light industrial businesses, hotels, and retail establishments. The fence line where Folan was found is likely part of the airport’s perimeter security, designed to prevent unauthorized access to the tarmac.

Investigators processed the scene for several hours on Sunday morning, collecting evidence and photographing the area. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office transported Folan’s body to their facility in Chicago for an autopsy and toxicology testing.

What remains unclear is how Folan ended up there. Was he walking along the frontage road when a vehicle struck him? Was he dropped off? Did he suffer a medical emergency and then fall, with the vehicle impact theory being a misdirection? Authorities have not ruled out any possibilities.

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The Victim: John Folan, 68, of Prospect Heights

John Folan was a 68-year-old resident of Prospect Heights, a suburban community of approximately 16,000 people located about 25 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. At this time, little is publicly known about Folan’s personal life, occupation, or family background. The Prospect Heights Police Department has not released any additional details about him, pending notification of all next of kin.

Neighbors and acquaintances who spoke with local media described Folan as a quiet, private individual. One neighbor, who asked not to be named, said, “He kept to himself mostly. Friendly enough if you saw him outside, but not someone who was out and about all the time. It’s shocking to hear he died like this.”

There is no immediate indication that Folan had any connection to the Chicago Executive Airport beyond the location of his death. He was not an employee of the airport or any nearby business, according to preliminary checks.

Family members had not publicly commented as of this writing, likely due to the ongoing investigation and the rawness of their grief. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office typically releases the identity of a deceased person once next of kin have been notified, which occurred prior to the public announcement.

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Possible Hit-and-Run: What We Know

The most striking detail from the preliminary investigation is the possibility that John Folan may have been struck by a vehicle. That theory would classify his death as a potential hit-and-run, a criminal offense in Illinois that carries severe penalties, especially when a death occurs.

Under Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/11-401), the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death must immediately stop at the scene, provide identifying information, and render reasonable assistance to the injured. Leaving the scene of a fatal accident is a Class 1 felony, punishable by 4 to 15 years in prison, with extended terms possible under aggravating circumstances.

However, investigators have not confirmed that a vehicle strike actually occurred. The phrasing “preliminary investigation suggests the possibility” indicates that physical evidence—such as injuries consistent with being hit by a car, or debris from a vehicle—may have been found, but not enough to reach a firm conclusion.

No skid marks, broken headlight glass, or vehicle parts have been publicly mentioned. The absence of such evidence does not rule out a hit-and-run, but it complicates the investigation. A vehicle traveling at high speed could strike a pedestrian without leaving obvious debris, especially if the pedestrian was struck from behind or while lying down.

Alternatively, Folan could have suffered a fall, a medical event (heart attack, stroke, seizure), or even exposure to cold temperatures. While Sunday morning temperatures in Wheeling were not extreme (likely in the 40s or 50s, depending on the time of year—the original report does not specify a date), cold-related death is possible if Folan was lying on the ground for an extended period. The fact that he was described as “cold to the touch” suggests he had been deceased for some time before officers arrived.

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No Witnesses, No Vehicles: Investigative Challenges

One of the biggest hurdles for investigators is the lack of witnesses and the absence of any vehicles at the scene that could be tied to the incident. The 9:00 a.m. discovery on a Sunday morning presents a challenging timeline.

Possible explanations for the lack of witnesses:

· Time of death may have been much earlier – If Folan was struck or fell ill during the overnight hours, there would be far fewer people in the area. The frontage road near the airport is not heavily trafficked late at night.
· The area may not have continuous surveillance – While the Chicago Executive Airport has security cameras, their coverage likely focuses on runways, hangars, and entry gates, not necessarily the exterior fence line along the frontage road.
· Vehicles may have left before police arrived – If a hit-and-run occurred, the driver would have fled, potentially long before the body was discovered.

Detectives are likely reviewing traffic camera footage from nearby intersections, including Palatine Road and Milwaukee Avenue, as well as footage from businesses in the area. They are also checking for any calls or reports of erratic driving, damaged vehicles, or abandoned cars in the vicinity.

The Prospect Heights Police Department has not yet released a description of any suspect vehicle, likely because they do not have one. Without eyewitnesses or camera evidence, investigators will rely heavily on forensic evidence from the scene and the autopsy.

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The Role of the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct a full autopsy on John Folan’s body. Key areas of focus will include:

· Patterns of injury – Are the injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle (e.g., broken bones on one side of the body, tire marks, abrasions from road surface)? Or are they consistent with a fall, assault, or medical episode?
· Toxicology – Was Folan under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication that could have impaired his judgment or caused a medical event?
· Internal examination – Was there evidence of a heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, or other natural cause of death?
· Time of death – Using body temperature, rigor mortis, and other indicators, the medical examiner can estimate how long Folan had been deceased before being found.

The autopsy results will be crucial in determining whether this death is a criminal matter (hit-and-run or homicide), an accident (fall), or natural causes. If the medical examiner rules it a homicide, the Prospect Heights Police Department will likely elevate the investigation to include the Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT) or the Illinois State Police.

If the death is ruled accidental or natural, the case may be closed unless new evidence emerges.

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Chicago Executive Airport: A Brief Overview

Chicago Executive Airport (KPWK) is a joint-use airport owned by the cities of Prospect Heights and Wheeling. It is the third-busiest airport in Illinois, after O’Hare and Midway, handling approximately 75,000 aircraft operations annually. The airport serves as a base for corporate aviation, private pilots, flight schools, and charter services.

The airport has a significant economic impact on the north suburban region, generating hundreds of jobs and millions in economic activity. However, its presence also brings traffic, noise, and—on rare occasions—safety concerns.

The fence line where Folan was found is part of the airport’s perimeter security. While most of the airport is fenced, the area near the frontage road is accessible to pedestrians. It is not unusual for people to walk or jog along the frontage road, though it is not designed for heavy foot traffic.

There is no indication that the airport itself is involved in Folan’s death, other than providing the location. Airport security has likely been cooperating with police, providing any surveillance footage that might exist.

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Community Reaction: Shock and Unease in Prospect Heights and Wheeling

News of John Folan’s death has sent ripples through the quiet suburbs of Prospect Heights and Wheeling. Both communities are generally considered safe, with crime rates well below national averages. Violent deaths—especially those involving mystery and the possibility of a hit-and-run—are rare and unsettling.

“You hear about stuff like this happening in Chicago, not here,” said Wheeling resident Linda Kershaw, who lives near the airport. “It makes you think twice about walking anywhere near the roads.”

A Prospect Heights city official, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed condolences to Folan’s family and urged anyone with information to come forward. “We are a close-knit community. When something like this happens, we all feel it. We trust that the police department will get to the bottom of it.”

No official memorial or vigil has been announced, though community members have taken to social media to express sorrow and frustration. Some have called for increased lighting, cameras, or pedestrian safety measures along Palatine Frontage Road.

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Hit-and-Run Statistics and Patterns in Illinois

Hit-and-run crashes are a persistent problem in Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) , there were over 25,000 hit-and-run crashes in the state in 2022, resulting in dozens of deaths and thousands of injuries. The vast majority involve property damage only, but fatal hit-and-runs occur multiple times per month in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Fatal hit-and-run victims are disproportionately pedestrians, cyclists, or individuals in vulnerable situations. Many hit-and-run drivers are later found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving without a valid license, or driving a stolen vehicle.

If Folan’s death is ultimately ruled a hit-and-run, the driver—if caught—could face charges ranging from a Class 4 felony (leaving the scene of an accident involving injury) to a Class 1 felony (leaving the scene of a fatal accident). If the driver was under the influence, additional charges of aggravated DUI causing death could apply, carrying sentences of 6 to 28 years.

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What Happens Next in the Investigation?

The investigation into John Folan’s death will proceed along multiple tracks:

1. Autopsy findings – The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office will issue a preliminary cause of death within days or weeks. If further testing (toxicology, histopathology) is needed, a final report could take 6–8 weeks.
2. Evidence review – Prospect Heights detectives will analyze any physical evidence collected from the scene, including possible vehicle debris, tire marks, and biological samples.
3. Surveillance footage – Police will canvass the area for security cameras from businesses, the airport, and traffic cameras. They will also check doorbell cameras from nearby homes.
4. Witness appeals – Police will continue to urge anyone who may have been in the area between late Saturday night and Sunday morning to come forward.
5. Victim background – Investigators will look into John Folan’s activities in the hours before his death—where he was, who he was with, and whether he had any known disputes or medical conditions.

If a suspect vehicle is identified, police will issue a public alert with a description. If not, the case may go cold unless new evidence surfaces.

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How the Public Can Help

The Prospect Heights Police Department is urging anyone with information to call 847-398-5511. Tips can be left anonymously, though providing contact information can help investigators follow up.

Specifically, police are looking for:

· Anyone who saw a person matching John Folan’s description (68-year-old male) in the area of 79 East Palatine Frontage Road between late Saturday night and Sunday morning.
· Anyone who saw a vehicle behaving erratically, stopping suddenly, or leaving the area quickly near the airport.
· Anyone who saw a vehicle with fresh damage (broken headlight, cracked windshield, dented hood or bumper) in Wheeling or Prospect Heights on Sunday.
· Any drivers with dashcam footage from Palatine Road, Milwaukee Avenue, or nearby streets during the relevant time window.

Even small details can prove critical in solving a case like this.

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Conclusion

The death of John Folan, a 68-year-old Prospect Heights man found along the fence line of Chicago Executive Airport near 79 East Palatine Frontage Road in Wheeling, remains shrouded in mystery. The Prospect Heights Police Department and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office are working to determine whether Folan was the victim of a hit-and-run, a medical emergency, or another tragic circumstance.

No witnesses have come forward. No suspects have been identified. No arrests have been made. But authorities have not given up, and they are asking the public for help.

For now, John Folan’s family mourns a life cut short under unexplained conditions. As the investigation continues, the communities of Prospect Heights and Wheeling wait for answers—and hope that someone, somewhere, knows what happened.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Prospect Heights Police Department at 847-398-5511. This is a developing story.