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Lyons brothers released Monday pending investigation in backyard burials

Two brothers who told police that they buried their mother and sister in the backyard of their Lyons home were released from police custody Monday but continue to be the subject of the death investigation.

Lyons Police Chief Tom Herion said the brothers, Michael Lelko, 45, and John Lelko, 41, face potential Felony charges for the illegal burying of the two bodies but were released following a 48-hour custody hold in cooperation with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.

Herion said the investigation is looking at every aspect of the brothers and the deceased, including examining financial records.

“We continue to look into this case with the help of the Cook County Medical Examiner who is doing a forensic evaluation of the remains that were removed from the backyard on Saturday,” Herion said.

Brothers Michael Lelko, 56, (foreground) and John Lelko, 51, (bacK) told Lyons police that they buried in their back yard their mother, who died when their sister pushed her down some stairs in 2015. They said their sister died in 2019 and they buried her in the backyard of their Lyons home at the 3900 block of Center Avenue. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanaia

The two brothers told police their sister pushed their mother, who was in her late 70s, down the stairs of the home in 2015, causing “some type of head contusion” Herion said that resulted in her death. The brothers also said the sister fell ill and died in 2019. There is no record of either death with the state.

Herion said the investigation is focused on finding the cause of death, and to collect any possible evidence from the home on the 3900 block of Center Avenue. The tri-level home has been boarded up and evidence is being collected based on a search warrant approved by the county.

“We have not filed charges, yet,” Chief Herion said.

The two brothers were released on their recognizance and are being assisted by a social service agency as the probe continues.

Lyons home where police said two brothers buried their mother and sister in their back yard, at the 3900 block of Center Avenue. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanaia

Video of Police Chief Tom Herion’s press conference from Saturday following the recovery of two bodies from the backyard of the Lelko home. (Courtesy of Ray Hanania) Click this link to view video on Facebook.