UPDATE 02/24/26: Steven Knox remains in custody of the Cook County Department of Corrections. A hearing previously scheduled for tomorrow for the Oak Forest case has been reset. A new hearing date is anticipated within the next two weeks; however, a specific date has not yet been scheduled. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
On Monday, February 23, a grand jury indicted 19-year-old Steven J. Knox of Dolton, Illinois on eight counts of first-degree murder in connection with the death of 68-year-old Oak Forest resident Michael Arnold. Knox is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing on Wednesday, February 25 at 9:30 a.m. at the Bridgeview Courthouse.
Last month, personnel from the Oak Forest police and fire departments were dispatched to a residence located in the 15000 block of Sunset Avenue, responding to a report of an unresponsive individual. Upon arrival, first responders found Arnold and pronounced him dead at the scene. Subsequently, Arnold's death was ruled a homicide by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.
The Oak Forest Police Department thanks the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office for their dedicated efforts in this investigation and remains committed to ensuring that violent crimes are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and criminal charges are merely allegations that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Steven J. Knox