The Lyric Opera House, typically a beacon of artistry and elegance in Chicago, became the scene of a grisly tragedy on March 15, 1990. Elsbeth, a 21-year-old rising star with the Joffrey Ballet, was performing the lead role of the Queen of Hearts in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland when her life was brutally  shattered when a single gunshot rang out during the second act. Witnesses recall the horror as Elsbeth collapsed mid-dance, her pristine costume stained with blood.

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Chicago Police detectives quickly launched an investigation into the high-profile murder. Security footage revealed a shadowy figure in the mezzanine section leaving the theater shortly after the gunshot. Witnesses described the suspect as wearing dark clothing and a hat, their features obscured.

Attention soon turned to Azrael Cooper, a former classmate of Elsbeth’s from their dance school in Northbrook, Illinois. Azrael, once a promising dancer, reportedly resented Elsbeth’s rapid rise to prominence.

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One incident from their school days stood out: Azrael had sabotaged Elsbeth’s pointe shoes by embedding needles inside them, causing injuries that sidelined her for three months. Despite this setback, Elsbeth went on to achieve national acclaim, while Azrael’s career faltered.

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“Azrael never got over Elsbeth’s success,” said one former classmate. “It was like they were consumed by envy.”

 

Detectives further discovered that Azrael had been in Chicago on the night of the performance. Hotel records and receipts placed them near the Lyric Opera House, and witnesses reported seeing someone matching Azrael’s description lurking near the mezzanine entrance.

 

The case remains unsolved, with Azrael a prime suspect. Forensic evidence, including a partial fingerprint on a theater railing, continues to undergo analysis. Despite the mounting evidence, Azrael denied any involvement in Elsbeth’s murder. They claimed to have been attending a film screening across town at the time of the shooting, but their alibi could not be corroborated.