New Year’s Eve rape victim’s dad says teen is home and well
BY MITCH DUDEK Staff Reporter January 3, 2012 6:00PM
Rusko, the DJ who was performing while an 18-year-old Highland Park girl was being raped and beaten outside the Congress Theater on New Year's Eve, tweets his regrets and urges his fans to call the Chicago Police Department if they have any information about the attack. | Photo by Tom Chambers
Updated: February 5, 2012 8:17AM
The father of an 18-year-old Highland Park girl who was sexually assaulted and beaten while in Chicago to attend a concert on New Year’s Eve said his daughter is home and doing better.
“The only thing I want to say is my daughter is doing well,” said the father Tuesday. “The high school, the letters, the gifts ...it’s so nurturing and so caring. We’re so appreciative, it makes this thing, which is the most horrendous thing in the world, it makes it easier ... You can’t imagine.”
Meanwhile, British DJ Rusko reacted Tuesday to the rape outside his concert, urging fans to call police if they know anything. Rusko — whose real name is Christopher Mercer — went on Facebook and Twitter to send out news of the attack.
“Shocked and Saddened by this ... if you saw ANYTHING AT ALL do the right thing & contact Chicago PD,” Rusko posted.
The Congress Theater concert in Logan Square drew around 4,000 people. A theater employee said the 18-year-old was turned away at the door because she did not have an ID. She was spotted sitting outside the venue, and then later talking with a group of young men. Shortly after, she was found beaten, bloodied, unconscious and naked on a lawn near the theater. Police believe she was sexually assaulted. Three young men were arrested immediately but have since been released without charges.
Contributing: Sun-Times Staff
