Unsolved: The Mass Murder of Keith, Elaine, Peter & Casey Dardeen AKA The Dardeen Family

On November 17, 1987, the Dardeen family was brutally murdered in their Illinois home. Elaine Dardeen, seven months pregnant, was beaten to death along with her young son, Peter. In a horrifying twist, she gave birth during the attack, and her newborn daughter was also killed. Initially, her husband Keith was suspected, but his body was found the next day, shot and assaulted.

Over a decade later, a serial killer claimed responsibility, but his confession was filled with inconsistencies. To this day, the murders remain unsolved, leaving behind questions of who committed such a horrific crime—and why. Join us as we dive into this tragic and terrifying case in search of elusive answers.

This is the story of the Dardeen family—an unsolved tragedy that is both unbelievable and unjust.

CONTACT:

Email: unsolvedunbelievableunjust@gmail.com

SOURCES:

• "Interview with a Murderer." *The Southern Illinoisan*, May 16, 2010. [https://thesouthern.com/news/local/interview-with-a-murderer/article_12b60fc2-60a6-11df-b581-001cc4c002e0.html](https://thesouthern.com/news/local/interview-with-a-murderer/article_12b60fc2-60a6-11df-b581-001cc4c002e0.html).

• Wright, John. "13-Year Vigil of Fear Eases in Illinois Town." *Chicago Tribune*, March 13, 2000. [https://www.chicagotribune.com/2000/03/13/13-year-vigil-of-fear-eases-in-illinois-town/](https://www.chicagotribune.com/2000/03/13/13-year-vigil-of-fear-eases-in-illinois-town/).

• "Unsolved Murder Still Haunts Tri-State Family Two Decades Later." *14 News*, November 9, 2007. [https://www.14news.com/story/7372700/unsolved-murder-still-haunts-tri-state-family-two-decades-later/](https://www.14news.com/story/7372700/unsolved-murder-still-haunts-tri-state-family-two-decades-later/).

• Chavez, Nicole. "Who Killed the Dardeen Family? The Case Remains Unsolved." *People*, August 9, 2023. [https://people.com/dardeen-murders-unsolved-who-killed-illinois-family-8649561](https://people.com/dardeen-murders-unsolved-who-killed-illinois-family-8649561).

• "Gruesome Murder of an Illinois Family Remains Unsolved; Main Suspect is Executed." *First Alert 4*, January 21, 2022. [https://www.firstalert4.com/2022/01/21/gruesome-murder-an-illinois-family-remains-unsolved-main-suspect-is-executed/](https://www.firstalert4.com/2022/01/21/gruesome-murder-an-illinois-family-remains-unsolved-main-suspect-is-executed/).

• "Heartland Unsolved: Never Forget." *KFVS 12 News*, November 5, 2019. [https://www.kfvs12.com/2019/11/05/heartland-unsolved-never-forget/](https://www.kfvs12.com/2019/11/05/heartland-unsolved-never-forget/).