Documentary-Filmmaker-Inspires-RVC-Students-Through-Unsolved-Case-Investigation.php

Documentary Filmmaker Inspires RVC Students Through Unsolved Case Investigation

• Students
• 03/26/2026

Documentary filmmaker Charlie Minn visited Rock Valley College this week to speak with students about his latest film, Who Killed These Women? which explores one of the largest unsolved mass shootings in modern American history.

His presentation was part of Amanda Kieper's Fundamentals of Communication class (SPH 131) class and Jerry LaBuy’s Video Production class (Comm 157), highlighting how faculty creatively connect course content to real-world experiences.

The film centers on the 2008 tragedy at a Lane Bryant store in Tinley Park, Illinois, where five women were killed and one woman survived. Despite years of investigation, extensive media coverage, and leads including a 911 caller, the case remains unsolved. Minn’s goal is to renew awareness and help bring justice to the victims’ families.

The documentary has already been shown in several Chicago-area theaters and will open locally on March 27 at AMC Rockford 16 for a limited run.

Minn, a seasoned journalist and filmmaker, splits his time between El Paso, Texas and New York City, New York. Over the course of his career, he has produced more than 45 documentaries with Amazon and other major streaming platforms and worked on the television series America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back. His work has been distributed through Lionsgate and Investigation Discovery, and spans stories from violence in Juárez, Mexico, to the arrest of Joaquín Guzmán Loera.

During his presentation, Minn also highlighted other high-profile cases featured in his films, including A Nightmare in Las Cruces, which examines the unsolved 1990 Las Cruces Bowling Alley shooting, and 77 Minutes, a film on the San Ysidro McDonald's massacre recently gained renewed attention after going viral online. Through these examples, Minn encouraged students to think about the role they can play in keeping these stories visible and advocating for justice.

“Speaking at schools is critical, as today’s students are the wheelhouse for social media—and that could help solve the Lane Bryant tragedy,” Minn said. “My goals are always to inform, educate and raise awareness.”

Minn emphasized how digital platforms can bring renewed attention to cold cases, noting that past investigations have gained traction years later through viral content and community engagement. He also pointed to a recent example in which a class at UT-Arlington helped solve a decades-old case, reinforcing the idea that students can make a real-world impact.

That message resonated with students in attendance.

“I think it’s really important for our generation to talk to each other and put things out there,” said student Zava Runyard. “Like he said, one of his films is blowing up on TikTok, and I think that’s so impactful, that things from years ago can become viral now.”

For others, Minn’s approach to storytelling and investigation left a lasting impression.

“I thought it was very eye-opening. I had never really looked at those murder cases from that lens before,” said student Noah Benney. “His attention to detail and the questions he asks are very profound, and I admire that. It’s something I want to incorporate into different areas of my life. His story and his ‘why’ were really inspiring—especially his passion for advocating for victims and their families.”

By connecting real-world cases with the influence of modern media, Minn’s visit challenged students to see themselves as active participants in raising awareness and seeking justice.

For more information about the film, visit thetinley5.com.