Barbara Rose, 50, of Danville, Illinois, was shot and killed on October 22, 2017. Keys reportedly told Rose’s family and friends that she had left the state to buy a car in an apparent effort to delay suspicion.

Her family reported her missing on October 24, 2017. Investigators say Keys moved Rose’s body to an abandoned house, tried to destroy evidence by setting the body on fire, and when that failed dismembered the remains. The remains were discovered in a car owned by Keys’ mother on November 1, 2017. Keys was arrested at the home he shared with Rose on October 31, 2017; he had been out on bond in an unrelated case at the time.

In July 2021 Keys was convicted of first-degree murder, dismembering a human body, mutilation by fire, and concealment of a homicidal death. In September 2021 Circuit Judge Nancy Fahey sentenced him to 60 years for murder, plus consecutive terms for the dismemberment and concealment counts. Rose’s son, Jermaine Rose, spoke at sentencing about the family’s ongoing trauma. If anyone knew Barbara or has information related to her death, please share what you know.