IN THE NEWS

cbs2chicago.com - January 7, 2005

Brach Murder Investigation Moving Ahead at Rapid Pace

By Jay Levine

The investigation into the apparent murder of candy heiress Helen Brach is moving ahead at a rapid pace.

New information has now been found credible enough by authorities to turn it over to the only man jailed, perhaps wrongly so, in connection with Brach’s murder.

Helen Brach disappeared in 1977. She was declared dead seven years later, her body never found.

Richard Bailed was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in 1995.

But now, his attorney has been given new information either provided by or about Jack Matlick, Brach’s estate caretaker who was long suspected of some role in the murder.

Earlier this week, CBS 2 News disclosed a letter from attorney Kathleen Zellner to Bailey, telling him that Matlick supposedly admitted his guilt in the scheme.

Zellner appeared in court today, receiving information from authorities about what they now believe happened at Brach’s Glenview home, including how the murder was carried out and who was involved.

The U.S. attorney calls it “information which could be relevant to the sentencing of Richard Bailey.

That could mean that federal investigators now have questions about what, if any, role he played in Brach’s disappearance.