dardeen family podcast

What happened to the Dardeen family?

Everyone suspected that the husband Russel Keith Dardeen did it, but on November 19, the following day, Keith’s body was found, he had been shot and his genitals were mutilated. Further examination revealed that he had been killed within an hour of his family. The Dardeen Family murders were considered too brutal to be reported on daytime TV.

What happened to husband Russel Keith Dardeen?

Everyone suspected that the husband Russel Keith Dardeen did it, but on November 19, the following day, Keith’s body was found, he had been shot and his genitals were mutilated. Further examination revealed that he had been killed within an hour of his family.

Where did the name Dardeen come from?

The name “Dardeen” resonates with the residents of Ina, Southern Illinois, who think back to a gruesome quadruple murder that took place in their sleepy hamlet in the late 1980s. Life in Ina was simple. There was a store, a gas station, a firehouse, a bank, a post office and little all else.

What happened to Ruby Elaine Dardeen?

On the evening of November 18, 1987, police found the body of Ruby Elaine Dardeen, she was beaten ferociously, as a result she had gone into labor and the killer or killers had also beaten her newborn to death.

Where is Dardeen from?

The name “Dardeen” resonates with the residents of Ina, Southern Illinois, who think back to a gruesome quadruple murder that took place in their sleepy hamlet in the late 1980s. Life in Ina was simple.

Where did Keith Dardeen live?

Keith Dardeen and his wife, Elaine Dardeen lived in a rented beige-and-white mobile home nestled among woodland beside Route 37, just outside Ina, Illinois, with their 2-year-old son, Peter. Elaine was also pregnant with their second child, a daughter who they planned on calling Casey.

What did Keith and Elaine do in their free time?

Keith worked as a treatment plant operator while Elaine worked in an office supply store . In their free time, the couple played in the musical ensemble at a local baptist church. The area the young family lived in had been becoming increasingly violent and the couple wanted to move somewhere safer for their children.

Why was Keith the rapist so protective of his family?

Due to the increase of murders and rapes in the surrounding area , Keith was very protective of his family. On one occasion, he refused entry to the home to a young woman who asked to use their phone. In fact, Keith told his mother he was planning on moving back to Mount Carmel but never elaborated as to why.

What is morbidology podcast?

Morbidology is a weekly true crime podcast created and hosted by Emily G. Thompson. Using investigative research combined with primary audio, Morbidology takes an in-depth look at true crime cases from all across the world. The name “Dardeen” resonates with the residents of Ina, Southern Illinois, who think back to a gruesome quadruple murder ...

Who was Keith's mother?

In fact, Keith’s mother, Joanne Dardeen suggested that the marijuana may have belonged to the killer. The murders were so brutal that some investigators even theorized that the crime was the work of a cult trying to appease the devil. Investigators did deduce that the Daredeen family were chosen, possibly even by mistake.

What did Joeanne say about Keith?

“I carried Keith for nine months. I raised him. I worshipped the ground he walked on. He was a good man and a good father,” she said. “And I will never give up.” 3 Joeanne had her own theories: that somebody wanted Keith to sell drugs and he refused or Elaine turned down somebody’s advances, causing them to lash out.

Who was Dardeen Family?

The Dardeen family consisted of Russell Keith Dardeen, 29, his wife Rudy Elaine Dardeen, 30, two-year-old son Peter, they were ready to welcome another child and decided to name it either Ian or Casey, depending on whether it was a boy or a girl.

When was the Dardeen family murdered?

The Gruesome Unsolved Murder Of Dardeen Family. On the evening of November 18, 1987, police found the body of Ruby Elaine Dardeen, she was beaten ferociously, as a result she had gone into labor and the killer or killers had also beaten her newborn to death. Everyone suspected that the husband Russel Keith Dardeen did it, but on November 19, ...

Why is the Dardeen murder unsolved?

There is a reason why this murder is unsolved for over three decades, whether it was the murder of all family members or no motive was found behind the killing. However, there is no strong theory, that gives the motive behind the brutal killing of the Dardeen family.

Why did the Dardeen family not like staying in Jefferson County?

The Dardeen family did not like staying in the area because it had been becoming increasingly violent and the couple wanted to move somewhere safer for their children . There had been 15 homicides in Jefferson County in the previous two years.

Where did Keith and Elaine work?

Keith worked at a treatment plant and Elaine worked at an office supply store in Mount Vernon. In their free time, the couple played in the musical ensemble at a local baptist church. Elaine and Keith considered moving to a better place as they were welcoming their new child, they had put their mobile home up for sale, but it was not the only reason they wanted to move.

Was Tommy Sells ever charged with the Dardeen family?

Sells was put to death in 2014, and nobody has ever been charged with the murders of the Dardeen family. We will never know whether Tommy Sells was involved in the murder of the Dardeen family or he was trying to avoid the death penalty by confessing to crimes he had not committed and take advantage of the judicial system’s gratitude.

Is the Dardeen family murder still unsolved?

However, three decades later, the murder of the Dardeen family is still unsolved and looks like it will remain the same way.

What is the conclusion of the Dardeen family?

THE CONCLUSION: The Dardeen family suffered horrors the average person can only imagine, and until someone comes forward, all that horror was seemingly for no reason. While there is a plethora of evidence at the scene, none of it has proven helpful.

When was the Dardeen family found?

On November 18, 1987 , the bodies of four members of the Dardeen family were discovered in their home. The father, Keith, was missing and initially was suspected of killing his family, only to be found murdered himself in horrific fashion later on. A dead family was bad enough, but what was worse was the exact circumstances of their murders.

How long was Ina quiet after the Sweeten Hight case?

For the most part, after the scandal of the Sweeten-Hight case, Ina remained quiet for nearly 60 years.

Why did Jefferson County police check on Russell Keith Dardeen?

THE VICTIMS: The morning of November 18, 1987, Jefferson County police were asked to check on Russell Keith Dardeen, who went by his middle name, because he hadn't shown up for work.

Where was the Dardeen murder?

For this murder, he was given the death penalty and executed in 2014 at Huntsville Prison in Texas. THE AFTERMATH: Over the years, this case has continued to baffle everyone who comes across it. Clues are scarce and the longer this goes unsolved, the less likely it is the Dardeen family will have answers.

Who was Keith's wife?

His wife Ruby Elaine, who also went by her middle name, worked in an office supply store. Both were active churchgoers. Keith sang in their Baptist choir, and Elaine played piano. Both were dedicated employees at their jobs, and with the new home purchase no doubt wouldn't have missed work.

Who killed Elsie Sweeten's husband?

The only major murder case in Ina's history was the arsenic poisoning of Elsie Sweeten's husband by her and her lover, Reverend Lawrence Hight, who followed up their initial crime by killing Hight's own wife by the same method. They were both convicted of the crime and sent to prison. The murder caused the area some scandal in 1924, especially when Elsie was granted a second trial and acquitted years later.