Judge orders Lyndell DeYoung held until trial in killing of Chicago postal worker Octavia Redmond
CHICAGO () — A man has been charged in connection with the 2024 shooting death of U.S. Postal Service worker Octavia Redmond in Chicago, after a teenager previously admitted guilt in the fatal attack, officials said.
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On Wednesday, a Cook County judge sided with prosecutors and ordered the 35-year-old defendant to remain in custody while he awaits trial in the South Side homicide case.
Lyndell DeYoung faces a first-degree murder charge in Redmond’s death. Redmond, 48, was working her mail route along South Harvard Avenue on July 19, 2024, when she was shot and killed.
Prosecutors allege DeYoung directed the killing. In court, they accused him of threatening the 15-year-old juvenile who carried out the shooting, allegedly warning that if the teen refused, DeYoung would kill Redmond himself and then kill the juvenile, too.
The juvenile, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, has since been sentenced to five years in juvenile detention. Prosecutors said the threat was central to DeYoung’s alleged role in pushing the teen to commit the attack.
Authorities also contend DeYoung deliberately targeted Redmond, saying he monitored her mail route in the days and weeks before she was killed. Prosecutors said cellphone records, messages and evidence connected to the stolen vehicle used in the shooting tied DeYoung to the crime.
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Redmond’s colleagues welcomed the judge’s ruling but said it does not lessen their loss.
“At the end of the day it doesn’t bring her back … we’ve been fighting this battle for so long trying to get justice for her and for all the carriers that’s out there working with no protection,” said Elise Foster of National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 11.
“I think it’ll be something we can have closure for her family and postal family,” Foster said.
DeYoung is the third person charged in connection with the shooting. He has requested a trial and is scheduled to return to court Sept. 17.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect who testified before a grand jury in this case.
