Teen Dies in Stabbing Near Glenview Home

Tricia Pacaccio was a father's dream.

"She was beautiful, energetic and brilliant," neighbors said ofthe 18-year-old honor student found stabbed to death Saturday morningnear the steps of her family's north suburban home.

Rick Pacaccio was coming out the side door of the home in anunincorporated area of Glenview to walk the family dog when he foundhis daughter's body, said Cook County Sheriff's police spokeswomanPenny Mateck.

She had been stabbed repeatedly.

"We are talking with friends and relatives to reconstruct thelast hours of Pacaccio's life," Mateck said. "We do not have anyonein custody at this time."

The victim was last seen about 9:30 Friday night by friends shedropped off by car after leaving a nearby restaurant.

Sheriff's police believe she was attacked as she came home, butare awaiting autopsy results to pinpoint the time of death, Matecksaid.

Tricia was the oldest daughter of Rick and Diane Pacaccio, whoalso have two sons: Douglas, 17, and Tommy, 12. The father works forIllinois Bell Telephone Co., neighbors said.

The murdered girl, a student, lived at home and was very closeto her family, neighbors said.

"The whole family is close-knit," said Elizabeth Wolf, who livesacross the street from the Pacaccios. "They were always doing thingstogether."

Another neighbor, Evelyn Kane, added: "It was nothing to see thewhole family outside washing cars and things like that."

Wolf said she and her husband didn't see anything unusual whenthey left their driveway a half hour before Pacaccio was found.

"There are bushes in front (of the house) and while you can seethe door, you aren't able to see the steps or the ground," she said.

Huber Lane is described as a quiet residential neighborhood withhouses on large lots.

Tricia Pacaccio was a straight-A student who worked after schooland was known to have two jobs in the summer, neighbors said.

She graduated from Glenbrook South High School this year and wasexpecting to start in the engineering program at Purdue Universitynext week.

Wolf said that Pacaccio was involved with the highschool schoolband and of ten participated in fundraisers to support school activities.

"She had a lot of friends and was such a hard worker, Kane said.

Neighbors were stunned by her death.

"I really don't know what to think," Wolf said. "I am having ahard time sorting things out. We don't have any problems (withviolence in the area) or anything like that. This is justheartbreaking."

Kane, who knows the family well, said she could think of noreason why anyone would kill Tricia.

Family members left their residence shortly after talking topolice, neighbors said. A priest at St. Catherine Laboure inGlenview, where the Pacaccios are active members, said funeralarrangements were incomplete.