Illinois Most Wanted Fugitive Captured After 7 Years on the Run

Federal and Illinois law enforcement has been working to capture this man for more than 7 years. Finally, authorities learned his whereabouts this past week and managed to finally get him off the streets to face justice.

The US Marshals just announced their capture of 57-year-old Illinois murder suspect John Panaligan. He was not only the most wanted fugitive in Illinois, but was also one of the top 15 in America as recent as 2020. Panaligan was the prime suspect in the murder of an attorney on December 7, 2016 in Northbrook, Illinois.

After a lengthy investigation, an arrest warrant for first-degree murder was issued for Panaligan Feb. 8, 2017. He fled the country and has been on the run ever since. The US Marshals had placed a $25,000 reward for information leading to his capture.

The US Marshals were able to connect the dots and arrested him in Tepic, Mexico on October 21, 2024. He has already been deported back to the United States where he'll face charges in Northbrook, Illinois.

The US Marshals noted that with John Panaligan's capture, they have arrested more than 250 top 15 most wanted criminals in the past 41 years. In total, they have arrested more than 73,000 fugitives. They credit this overwhelming success to their coordination with federal, state, tribal, and local levels of law enforcement.