The 1987 Dardeen family quadruple homicide near Ina, Illinois remains unsolved and is considered one of the most disturbing cold cases in state history.
Key Facts
- Date of incident
- November 18, 1987
- Number of victims
- 4 (Russell, Ruby, son, newborn daughter)
- Location
- Near Ina, Jefferson County, Illinois
- Case status
- Unsolved cold case
- Suspect claim
- Tommy Lynn Sells claimed responsibility; never charged
- Keith Dardeen's age
- 29 years
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
On November 18, 1987, Russell Keith Dardeen failed to report to work, prompting a welfare check at the family's mobile home near Ina, Illinois. Investigators ruled out robbery, rape, drug trafficking, marital infidelity, gambling, and Satanism as motives, leaving the precise reason for the targeted attack unknown.
Officers discovered the bodies of Ruby Dardeen, 30, and the couple's young son inside the mobile home. Ruby, who had been pregnant, suffered injuries causing premature labor; the newborn was also found dead. Keith's body was found the next day in a nearby field, killed by gunshot and genital mutilation, his vehicle left near a police station.
No suspects were charged despite extensive local and state investigation. In the 2000s, convicted serial killer Tommy Lynn Sells claimed responsibility but was never charged, as Texas authorities refused to transfer him. Both law enforcement and the Dardeen family doubted his account due to his history of false confessions, leaving the case permanently unresolved.