Evanston Man Charged in 1988 Sexual Assault That Killed 81-Year-Old Woman

Chicago police detectives announced Thursday that they had arrested and charged an Evanston man in connection with the sexual assault of an 81-year-old woman that led to her death in July 1988.

Prentice Phillips, 48, of Evanston, is charged with one count of first-degree murder, according to a press release from the Chicago Police Department. He was already in prison for a charge of assaulting a pregnant or handicapped person, according to the Cook County Sheriff's website.

Police say Phillips forced his way into an apartment in the 7200 block of North Sheridan Road around 3 a.m. on July 11, 1988, then sexually assaulted an 81-year-old woman. She later died from the injuries she sustained, according to police.

Police recovered DNA evidence at the scene in 1988, and were able to process it this year using funds from a cold case grant, police said.