Is Molly Zelko's Body About To Be Found On Stryker Avenue?

JOLIET — For nearly 67 years, the body of Joliet's missing newspaper editor, Molly Zelko, has been said to be buried along Stryker Avenue. During a September 2022 presentation at the Joliet Area Historical Museum attended by 200 people, Lonny Cain revealed the crusading newspaper editor from the 1950s may be buried in a sanitary sewer about 7 to 8 feet deep across from the Stevenson Gardens on Stryker Avenue.

Over the past couple of weeks, construction crews have been digging up Stryker Avenue, causing traffic detours for motorists traveling between West Jefferson Street and McDonough Street.

On Wednesday afternoon, Joliet Patch visited the street construction site to learn first-hand whether the workers were even aware of the legend of Molly Zelko, and whether the ongoing street project had put them in close contact to unearthing Joliet's enduring mystery.

Initially, Joliet Patch spoke with two AT&T workers who were working in the street about 2 to 3 feet below the ground. However, both young men were working on the east side of Stryker Avenue, the opposite side of the street from where Molly Zelko is said to be buried.

The two AT&T workers didn't know who Zelko was when told about the Molly mystery.

Several minutes later, Joliet Patch spoke with John Cox of Len Cox & Sons Excavating. Fortunately, he was well aware of the Molly story.

Based on his knowledge of the Stryker Avenue project, Cox said he did not believe the city of Joliet was planning to tear up the west side of the street, closer to where Molly Zelko was said to be put.

According to John Cox's assessment, the Molly Zelko legend may continue to live on.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Is Molly Zelko's Body Buried Across From Stryker Ave. High Rise?