CRYSTAL LAKE – Jim Gallagher and son Timothy Gallagher had a pact – whenever either would take a trip, he would text to the other that his destination was reached.

Timothy Gallagher made his way back to his Crystal Lake home from Western Illinois University in Macomb on Nov. 16 for the Thanksgiving holiday. The 21-year-old followed through on the agreement and sent a message to his father, who was out of town on a hunting trip.

That was the last communication Jim Gallagher had with his son, who was found dead Nov. 18 in an alley in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago.