The man who kidnapped and murdered a Rockford newspaper boy in 1975 has died in prison at the age of 78. Now the family of Joey Didier will no longer have to circulate petitions to keep his killer, Robert Lower, from being paroled.
Lower’s 20th attempt for release from his life sentence was set for 2019: he was last denied parole in February 2014.
The disappearance and murder of the 15-year-old in March 1975 affected the community deeply. Thousands of Rockford residents have signed petitions over the decades asking the state's parole board to keep Lower in prison.
Winnebago County State's Attorney Joe Bruscato released the following statement about Lower's death:
“Our thoughts and focus have always been and remain with the family of Joey Didier. They will continue to feel the loss of Joey as his life was cut short by Robert Lower’s brutal and cold blooded actions 42 years ago. For years, the State’s Attorney’s Office has joined together with the Didiers and this community to keep Lower in prison, and while it’s comforting to know that this part of the fight is over, we will continue to grieve the loss of Joey and hope for continued healing for his family.”
