Wisconsin Deputies Make Arrest In Palatine Teen's '97 Death

RACINE, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin deputies may finally have solved a cold-case mystery involving the slaying of an Illinois teen 17 years ago.

Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling emailed The Journal Times of Racine Saturday saying his deputies have arrested a 36-year-old Illinois man.

Schmaling says he has "solid, clear and overwhelming evidence" that the suspect was responsible for the death of Amber Creek. The body of the 14-year-old Palatine, Ill., girl was found in a Racine County marsh in 1997.

Schmaling says he'll discuss details of the arrest and identify the suspect at a news conference Monday afternoon.
Investigators say Creek was suffocated with a plastic bag. The runaway had been beaten and sexually assaulted, and her body was left posed with an upraised hand with, "Hi" written on her palm.