JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Matt Blunt today issued the following statement on the state of Illinois not yet releasing Timothy Krajcir to Missouri to face charges in Cape Girardeau for the murder of five Missouri women:

"I am frustrated with this delay, but am not jumping to any conclusions. There is no reason to believe that Illinois does not wish to see Krajcir brought to justice for all of his crimes. Today, I sent a letter to Governor Blagojevich asking if there was a reason for the delay in extraditing Krajcir.

"Krajcir is charged with the murder of five Missouri women. The people, our law enforcement community and the prosecutor in Cape Girardeau County are as eager as I am to see justice done for those crimes and Krajcir’s presence in Missouri is essential to the administration of that justice."

Gov. Blunt on December 17 sent the extradition papers for Krajcir along with a letter seeking quick approval to Governor Blagojevich. A Missouri court hearing had been scheduled for tomorrow, but the state of Illinois has not yet released Krajcir to the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff.