A Quiet Life in Ina

In the late 1980s, the village of Ina, Illinois, was a tranquil community where the Dardeen family sought to build their lives. Russell "Keith" Dardeen, 29, worked diligently as a treatment plant operator at the Rend Lake Water Conservancy District. His wife, Ruby "Elaine" Dardeen, 30, balanced her time between caring for their 2-year-old son, Peter, and her job at an office supply store in nearby Mount Vernon. The couple actively participated in their local Baptist church, with Keith singing lead vocals and Elaine playing the piano. They eagerly anticipated the birth of their second child, a daughter they planned to name Casey. 

Rising Concerns Amidst Local Violence

Despite their peaceful existence, the Dardeens were increasingly uneasy about the escalating violence in Jefferson County. Over a span of two years, the area had witnessed 15 homicides, including the gruesome 1985 case where a Mount Vernon teenager murdered his entire family. This surge in local crime deeply troubled Keith, prompting him to consider relocating his family to a safer environment. He even listed their mobile home for sale, expressing regret over moving to Ina and a desire to return to his hometown of Mount Carmel. ...Read More