Chicago Woman Who Helped Boyfriend Kill Her Mother in Bali Denied Bond Upon Returning to the U.S.

Heather Mack became known as the 'suitcase killer' after she aided her boyfriend in killing her mother, Sheila Von Weise-Mack (pictured above), a Chicago socialite, and stuffing her body in a suitcase while vacationing in Bali, Indonesia. (Indonesian authorities are pictured below with the suitcase Sheila was placed in/Photo Credit: Reuters)

When the crime happened in 2014, Heather was 18 years old. The purpose of the trip was reportedly so Sheila and Heather could bond and try to repair their fractured relationship. Family members said they usually fought, and the police were often called to Sheila and Heather's family home to settle disputes. Yet, despite the purpose of the trip, Heather allegedly went against her mother's wishes and brought her then-boyfriend, Tommy Schaefer, on the trip. The vacation reportedly went left when the mother refused to pay for the couple's hotel stay, and the pair announced they were expecting a baby.

After an argument over the pregnancy, the teenagers killed Von Weise-Mack and were later convicted of murder and jailed in Indonesia. Heather soon after birthed a daughter, Estelle, and was allowed to raise the baby in prison for two years. Tommy was allowed to have monthly visits with the child. A foster mother in Indonesia raised the child since age two. (Heather is pictured below with her daughter Estelle/Photo: NY Post)

Tommy remains incarcerated in Indonesia. Yet, in November 2021, Heather was extradited to Chicago to face conspiracy charges for plotting to murder Von Weise-Mack. Her daughter, Estelle, now seven years old, also returned to Chicago, despite Heather's wishes for her to remain with her foster mother in Indonesia. The child's paternal grandmother is working to obtain custody of her.

Heather recently requested a bond while awaiting trial, yet a judge denied that request. She could face life in prison for conspiring to have her mother killed. She will reportedly stand trial in July 2023 in Chicago. (Photo Credit Below: Reuters)

Additional Photo Credits: AP