This is the first of our3 episode series on the deadly duo of Patricia Columbo and Frank DeLuca, who killed Columbo's family in 1976. In this episode we discuss the culture of Chicago's middle-class suburbs and cover Patty's childhood in the city, adolescence in the suburbs, and how she and Frank DeLuca met and sparked their deadly relationship.


Howard, Clark. Love’s Blood. St. Martin’s Paperbacks, 1994.

“Woman Speaks out about 1976 Murder of Her Parents, Brother.” The Daily Journal, 8 May 2006, https://www.daily-journal.com/news/state/woman-speaks-out-about-1976-murder-of-her-parents-brother/article_da4a76ca-7eb2-5857-bb6a-ff726a92046a.html.

“Patty Columbo, Frank DeLuca up for Parole Again in Elk Grove Village Murders.” Daily Herald, 10 Jan. 2017, https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170110/news/170119902/.

“Patty Columbo Seeks Parole for Elk Grove Killings -- Again.” Daily Herald, 25 Mar. 2014, https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140325/news/140328966/.

Press, The Associated. “Patricia Columbo Speaks from Jail.” The Quad-City Times, 7 May 2006, https://qctimes.com/news/state-and-regional/patricia-columbo-speaks-from-jail/article_5b420d08-d866-58ce-8b6f-46692ee7203b.html.

“A Young Woman and Her Married Lover Kill Her Family.” HISTORY, https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/a-young-woman-and-her-married-lover-kill-her-family. Accessed 26 Aug. 2023.

“Officials: Columbo Should Never Get Parole for Killing Family in Elk Grove.” Daily Herald, 19 May 2011, https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110519/news/705189838/.

“Images: Historic Photos from Patty Columbo Case.” Daily Herald, 19 May 2011, https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110519/news/705199980/.

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