2 years later, no arrests in death of Byron mother and child

BYRON – Investigators still are working on the arson and double homicide that took the lives of a young Byron mother and her 3-year-old son 2 years ago.

Margaret “Maggie” Meyer, 31, was found dead on a couch on the first floor of her burning home at 2020 N. Silverthorn Drive on Oct. 19, 2016; son Amos was pronounced dead a short time later at a Rockford hospital.

“It’s an active investigation,” Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle said. “We continue to work on it.”

An outdoor candlelight vigil will be held Friday night.

The Byron Police Department and State Police are working with VanVickle's office, and “we’re confident we’re going to come to a resolution for the family and friends,” State’s Attorney Eric Morrow said.

He, VanVickle, and Ogle County Detective Lt. Brian Ketter won't discuss details of the case, including Meyer's cause of death, citing the ongoing investigation.

The fire was reported around 6:40 a.m. by her ex-husband, Duane C. Meyer, 36, of Stillman Valley, who told officials he was there to pick up his son. The couple divorced about a month earlier.

When firefighters arrived, smoke alarms were sounding, the house was filled with heavy smoke, and Duane Meyer and a Byron police officer were on the lawn performing CPR on Amos, who had been in an upstairs bedroom.

Amos and his father were taken to then-Rockford Memorial Hospital, where the boy was pronounced dead. An autopsy showed he died of smoke inhalation.

A representative from the State Fire Marshal’s Office determined at the scene that the fire was an arson.

Maggie, the daughter of Donald and Luann Rosko of Mount Morris, had been a teacher at the Chana Educational Center for several years, and Amos was a student at the preschool at the Byron Forest Preserve.

The Maggie & Amos Foundation was established to memorialize the their lives through charitable donations and scholarships.

To attend

An outdoor candlelight vigil is being held at 6:30 Friday night at the Ogle County Courthouse, 105 S. Fifth St. Participants are encouraged to wear green, a favorite color of Maggie and Amos. Candles and holders will be provided.

Those who cannot attend are invited to join an online “Light a Candle” memorial on The Maggie & Amos Foundation Facebook page.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call the Ogle County Sheriff's Office at 815-732-2136 or Ogle Lee Crime Stoppers at 888-228-4488.