Wesley Bivens, 31, of Salem, Illinois, was shot and killed at his rural home on April 15, 2021. Deputies say Bivens was found deceased in a hallway; a black handgun was on the kitchen counter and bullet casings were nearby. His girlfriend, who owned the home, called 911 saying she had shot him in self-defense after he allegedly tried to hit her. She was taken into custody for questioning and later released with no immediate charges.

The couple had lived together for more than a year and had recently been having disagreements. More than a year after the shooting, the girlfriend, identified as Christina Bartley, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Bartley admitted to firing the shot but testified she acted in self-defense, saying Bivens had been coming at her aggressively. A jury acquitted her after more than three hours of deliberation.

Bivens’ family has pushed for answers and organized efforts to support his 10-year-old son. Does anyone have information about Wesley’s final hours or the relationship dynamics leading up to April 15, 2021?