Wife and Son of Late Cook County Commissioner Found Dead

Barbara and Kaleb Deer were discovered shot in their Chicago home, officials confirm.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 3:08pm

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The widow and adult son of the late Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer were found dead on Tuesday evening in their Chicago home. Barbara Deer, 51, had been shot three times, while her 23-year-old son Kaleb had a single gunshot wound to the head. The Cook County Board of Commissioners expressed condolences and held a moment of silence, as Commissioner Deer had passed away in 2024 from complications following a double lung transplant.

Why it matters

The tragic deaths of Barbara and Kaleb Deer have shocked the local community and raised concerns about gun violence and public safety in the Chicago area. As a former county commissioner, Dennis Deer was a prominent public figure, and his family's loss will be deeply felt. The circumstances surrounding the shootings are still under investigation by the Chicago Police Department.

The details

According to police, the bodies of Barbara and Kaleb Deer were discovered around 5:50 pm on Tuesday in their home on the 3500 block of West Arthington Street in Chicago. Barbara Deer had been shot three times, while Kaleb Deer had a single gunshot wound to the head. The Cook County Board of Commissioners released a statement expressing their condolences and held a moment of silence during their meeting on Wednesday to honor the late commissioner and his family.

  • The bodies of Barbara and Kaleb Deer were discovered around 5:50 pm on Tuesday, April 15, 2026.
  • Dennis Deer, the late Cook County Commissioner, passed away in 2024 from complications following a double lung transplant.

The players

Dennis Deer

The late Cook County Commissioner who passed away in 2024 from complications following a double lung transplant.

Barbara Deer

The 51-year-old widow of the late Commissioner Dennis Deer, who was found shot three times in her Chicago home.

Kaleb Deer

The 23-year-old son of the late Commissioner Dennis Deer, who was found with a single gunshot wound to the head in his Chicago home.

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What they’re saying

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Barbara and Kaleb Deer. Our hearts go out to their family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

— Cook County Board of Commissioners

What’s next

The Chicago Police Department is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the shootings of Barbara and Kaleb Deer. Authorities have not yet released any information about potential suspects or a motive for the killings.

The takeaway

The deaths of Barbara and Kaleb Deer have shaken the local community and raised concerns about gun violence in the Chicago area. As the investigation into this tragic incident continues, it serves as a somber reminder of the need for continued efforts to address public safety and prevent such senseless acts of violence.