MOLLY PARKER
Lee Enterprises Midwest
and BETH HUNDSDORFER
Capitol News Illinois
As Blaine Reichard rose from a breakfast table at the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in southern Illinois, a worker ordered him to pull up his sagging pants.
k2D:56 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\C6=4@?E6?E E?4>D\:?=:?6\C6=4@?E6?E\:?7@ E?4>D\:?=:?6\2=:8?>6?E\=67E E?4>D\:?=:?6\H:5E9\92=7Qmk9cmp3@FE E9:D AC@;64Ek^9cmkAmk6>mkDA2?m%9:D 2CE:4=6 H2D AC@5F465 3J E96 {66 t?E6CAC:D6D |:5H6DE !F3=:4 $6CG:46 %62> :? A2CE?6CD9:A H:E9 k2 9C67lQ9EEAi^^42A:E@=?6HD:==:?@:D]4@>Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qmr2A:E@= }6HD x==:?@:Dk^2m 2?5 k2 9C67lQ9EEAi^^AC@AF3=:42]@C8Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm!C@!F3=:42k^2mj {66 t?E6CAC:D6D :D 2 >6>36C @7 E96 !C@!F3=:42 {@42= #6A@CE:?8 }6EH@C<] k^DA2?mk^6>mk^Amk^2D:56m
kAmp ac\J62C\@=5 >2? H:E9 56G6=@A>6?E2= 5:D23:=:E:6D[ #6:492C5 H2D 244FDE@>65 E@ H@C<6CD 2E E96 DE2E6\CF? C6D:56?E:2= 724:=:EJ E6==:?8 9:> H92E E@ 5@] qFE E9:D E:>6 96 5:5?’E @36J]k^Am
kAm“x’> 2 82?8DE2P %9:D :D 9@H H6 5@ :E H96C6 x 2> 7C@>P” C6DA@?565 #6:492C5[ H9@[ 56DA:E6 9:D DEC66E\E@F89 567:2?46[ DE:== D=6AE H:E9 2 E655J 362C]k^Am
kAmx?G6DE:82E@CD H9@ =2E6C 42>6 E@ E96 D46?6 @7 E96 a_`c :?4:56?E 962C5 G2C:@FD G6CD:@?D @7 H92E 92AA6?65 ?6IE] qFE >F=E:A=6 H:E?6DD6D E@=5 E96 x==:?@:D $E2E6 !@=:46 E92E D9@CE=J 27E6C E9:D 6I492?86[ #6:492C5 H2D E2<6? E@ E96 7=@@C[ 96=5 5@H? 3J 7@FC >6?E2= 962=E9 E649D 2?5 C6A62E65=J AF?4965 :? E96 7246[ 244@C5:?8 E@ 2 f__\A286 DE2E6 A@=:46 :?G6DE:82E:@? @3E2:?65 F?56C E96 uC665@> @7 x?7@C>2E:@? p4E]k^Am
kAm#6:492C5 4FCD65 2?5 DA2E[ ECJ:?8 E@ 7:89E 324<] w:D C6D:DE2?46 H2D >6E H:E9 >@C6 3=@HD[ 244@C5:?8 E@ H:E?6DD 244@F?ED] #6:492C5[ H9@D6 5:28?@D6D :?4=F56 2FE:D>[ H@F=5 =2E6C E6== A@=:46 :E 76=E =:<6 96 H2D 9:E `__ E:>6D]k^Am
kAm|F=E:A=6 6>A=@J66D[ :?4=F5:?8 2 5@4E@C[ E@=5 :?G6DE:82E@CD E92E #6:492C5’D :?;FC:6D H6C6 E96 H@CDE E96J’5 6G6C D66?] ~?6 E649 E@=5 A@=:46 D96 G@>:E65 2E E96 D:89E @7 9:D :?;FC65 7246]k^Am
kAm{@42E65 23@FE `a_ >:=6D D@FE962DE @7 $E] {@F:D[ r9@2E6 D6CG6D A6@A=6 H:E9 E96 >@DE AC@7@F?5 5:D23:=:E:6D :? E96 DE2E6] x? a__h[ E96 &]$] s6A2CE>6?E @7 yFDE:46’D r:G:= #:89ED s:G:D:@? k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH];FDE:46]8@G^D:E6D^5672F=E^7:=6D^4CE^=6824J^a_`_^`a^`d^r9@2E607:?5=6E0``\_h\_h]A57Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm925 4:E65 r9@2E6 7@C 72:=:?8k^2m E@ AC@E64E C6D:56?ED 7C@> A9JD:42= 2?5 ADJ49@=@8:42= 23FD6 2?5 @E96C 92C>] %96 7656C2= 286?4J DE@AA65 D9@CE @7 DF:?8 E96 DE2E6 @7 x==:?@:D — 2 DE6A :E 92D E2<6? 282:?DE @E96C DE2E6D — 2?5 4=@D65 :ED :?G6DE:82E:@? :? a_`b[ k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH];FDE:46]8@G^D:E6D^5672F=E^7:=6D^4CE^=6824J^a_`c^_g^_f^DA=:E04C:A2`b]A57Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmD2J:?8 :? 2 C6A@CE E@ r@?8C6DDk^2m E92E x==:?@:D @77:4:2=D 925 >256 256BF2E6 :>AC@G6>6?ED]k^Am
kAm%96 #6:492C5 362E:?8 92AA6?65 E96 ?6IE J62C[ ;FDE 367@C6 r9C:DE>2D] (9:=6 :E :D @?6 @7 E96 >@DE 68C68:@FD 6I2>A=6D @7 23FD6 @7 2 r9@2E6 C6D:56?E :? 2 564256[ 2 >@?E9D=@?8 :?G6DE:82E:@? 3J r2A:E@= }6HD x==:?@:D[ {66 t?E6CAC:D6D 2?5 !C@!F3=:42 92D 7@F?5 E92E E96 :?4:56?E :D @?6 @7 >2?J :?DE2?46D @7 >:DEC62E>6?E 2E E96 CFC2= 724:=:EJ >2?2865 3J E96 x==:?@:D s6A2CE>6?E @7 wF>2? $6CG:46D]k^Am
Blaine Reichard with his dog, Frankie.
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMANDA MCINTOSH
kAm#6A@CE6CD 7C@> E9:D E62> 7:=65 >@C6 E92? d_ AF3=:4 C64@C5D C6BF6DED[ C6G:6H:?8 E9@FD2?5D @7 A286D @7 :?E6C?2= 5@4F>6?ED 7C@> xsw$ 2?5 :ED :?DA64E@C 86?6C2=j E96 x==:?@:D $E2E6 !@=:46j @77:4:2=D :? &?:@? r@F?EJ[ H96C6 E96 724:=:EJ :D =@42E65j 2?5 @E96C 6?E:E:6D]k^Am
kAm%96 5@4F>6?ED 2?5 :?E6CG:6HD H:E9 4FCC6?E 2?5 7@C>6C 6>A=@J66D 2?5 25G@42E6D[ 2?5 H:E9 C6D:56?ED 2?5 E96:C 8F2C5:2?D[ C6G62=65 2 DJDE6>:4 A2EE6C? @7 A2E:6?E 23FD6[ ?68=64E[ 9F>:=:2E:@? 2?5 6IA=@:E2E:@?]k^Am
kAm~G6C 2 `_\J62C A6C:@5 CF??:?8 E9C@F89 a_a`[ E96 DE2E6 A@=:46 @A6?65 2E =62DE c_ 4C:>:?2= :?G6DE:82E:@?D :?E@ 2==6865 6>A=@J66 >:D4@?5F4E 2E r9@2E6[ >@C6 E92? 2E 2?J @7 xsw$’D @E96C 724:=:E:6D :? D@FE96C? x==:?@:D]k^Am
kAm&D:?8 4@FCE C64@C5D 2?5 x==:?@:D $E2E6 !@=:46 42D6 7:=6D[ C6A@CE6CD 7@F?5 E92E 2E =62DE ae r9@2E6 6>A=@J66D H6C6 2CC6DE65 @? 76=@?J 492C86D @G6C C@F89=J E96 D2>6 E:>6 A6C:@5[ :?4=F5:?8 7@FC H9@ H6C6 4@??64E65 E@ E96 #6:492C5 42D6] t>A=@J66D 92G6 D:?46 366? 244FD65 @7 H9:AA:?8[ 49@<:?8[ AF?49:?8 2?5 C2A:?8 C6D:56?ED]k^Am
kAmp>@?8 E96 >@C6 C646?E 2CC6DE66D 2C6 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]42A:E@=?6HD:==:?@:D]4@>^}t($^4C:>:?2=\42D6\282:?DE\D6?:@C\DE277\2E\DE2E6\CF?\9@DA:E2=\5:D>:DD65Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm7@FC 6>A=@J66D H9@ H6C6 244FD65 @7 49@<:?8k^2m 2?5 362E:?8 2?@E96C r9@2E6 A2E:6?E :? a_a_[ =625:?8 E@ 76=@?J 32EE6CJ 492C86D] %H@ 92G6 A=62565 8F:=EJ E@ >:D56>62?@C 32EE6CJ 492C86D :? 6I492?86 7@C AC@32E:@? D6?E6?46D 2?5 EH@ 42D6D 2C6 DE:== A6?5:?8]k^Am
kAmx? a_a_[ 2? 6>A=@J66 H2D 492C865 H:E9 76=@?J 32EE6CJ[ 7@C 2==6865=J E2<:?8 @77 9:D 36=E 2?5 FD:?8 :E E@ C6A62E65=J H9:A 2 C6D:56?E] %96?[ 62C=:6C E9:D J62C[ 2? 6>A=@J66 H2D k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^42A:E@=?6HD:==:?@:D]4@>^}t($^>2?\244FD65\@7\D6IF2=\>:D4@?5F4E\H:E9\A2E:6?E\2E\DE2E6\CF?\724:=:EJ\492C865\H:E9\49:=5\>@=6DE2E:@?\:?\F?C6=2E65\42D6Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm492C865 H:E9 4C:>:?2= D6IF2= 2DD2F=Ek^2m @7 2? :?E6==64EF2==J 5:D23=65 A6CD@? H9@ =:G65 2E E96 724:=:EJ] p?5 :? 2?@E96C a_aa 42D6[ 2? 6>A=@J66 H2D 492C865 7@C 2==6865=J 8C233:?8 2 ?@?G6C32= A2E:6?E H:E9 E96 >6?E2= 42A24:EJ @7 2 `d\>@?E9\@=5 3J E96 ?64< 2?5 AF?49:?8 9:> :? E96 324< @7 E96 9625 2D 2 D64FC:EJ @77:46C H2E4965[ 244@C5:?8 E@ 4@FCE C64@C5D] %96D6 E9C66 42D6D 2C6 DE:== A6?5:?8]k^Am
kAm~G6C E96 J62CD[ 25G@42E6D 92G6 42==65 7@C E96 724:=:EJ E@ 36 4=@D65] “xE’D 2 AFC6=J A@=:E:42= 564:D:@? E@ <66A r9@2E6 @A6?[” D2:5 4:G:= C:89ED 2EE@C?6J %9@>2D z6??65J[ H9@ 92D AC@G:565 =682= D6CG:46D E@ r9@2E6 A2E:6?ED @? 2?5 @77 7@C 564256D] “xE’D ?@E 23@FE 96=A:?8 A6@A=6] xE’D ?@E 23@FE 923:=:E2E:?8 @C C6923:=:E2E:?8 A6@A=6] xE’D 23@FE <66A:?8 ;@3D :? E96 4@>>F?:EJ] !6C:@5] %96J 92G6 72:=65 >:D6C23=J 2E 2?J @E96C >:DD:@?]”k^Am
kAmx? 2 DE2E6>6?E E@ C6A@CE6CD[ xsw$ DA@<6DA6CD@? |2C:D2 z@==:2D 24<?@H=65865 E96 D6C:@FD?6DD @7 E96 4@?46C?D 2E r9@2E6] $96 D2:5 E92E E96 AC@3=6>D 2C6 E96 “C6DF=E @7 =@?8DE2?5:?8[ 6?EC6?4965 :DDF6D 52E:?8 324< 564256D” 2?5 E92E E96 286?4J 92D “E2<6? 288C6DD:G6 >62DFC6D @G6C E96 A2DE D6G6C2= J62CD E@ F?C2G6= E96>]” %92E :?4=F56D :?4C62D:?8 DE277:?8 2?5 EC2:?:?8 2?5 2AA@:?E:?8 tBF:A 7@C tBF2=:EJ[ 2? :?56A6?56?E =682= 25G@424J @C82?:K2E:@?[ E@ >@?:E@C 4@?5:E:@?D :?D:56 E96 724:=:EJ[ ;FDE 2D xsw$ 5:5 :? C6DA@?D6 E@ EC@F3=:?8 4@?5:E:@?D E96C6 ?62C=J a_ J62CD 28@]k^Am
kAmp DA@<6DA6CD@? 7@C E96 yFDE:46 s6A2CE>6?E AC@G:565 E96 ?6HD @C82?:K2E:@?D H:E9 E96 4@?8C6DD:@?2= C6A@CE 2??@F?4:?8 :ED @77:4:2= 6I:E 7C@> r9@2E6[ H9:49 :?4=F565 2 4@>>:E>6?E E@ 4@?E:?F:?8 E@ >@?:E@C 4@?5:E:@?D E96C6] $96 564=:?65 E@ 2?DH6C 255:E:@?2= BF6DE:@?D]k^Am
Choate Mental Health Development Center in rural Anna, Illinois, was built more than 150 years ago.
WHITNEY CURTIS, FOR PROPUBLICA
k9bm$EC2AA65 E@ 9:D 365 7@C 9@FCDk^9bm
kAmpD E96 362E:?8 @7 #6:492C5 4@?E:?F65[ @?6 @7 E96 6>A=@J66D D9@FE65 7@C C6DEC2:?ED] #6:492C5 H2D 5C28865 E@ 9:D C@@> 2?5 3@F?5 E@ 9:D 365 H:E9 3=24< ?J=@? DEC2AD 2C@F?5 9:D 2?<=6D[ HC:DED 2?5 496DE]k^Am
kAmp? xsw$ C64@C5 :?4=F565 :? E96 A@=:46 C6A@CE D9@H65 E92E 7@C 2=>@DE EH@ 9@FCD[ >6?E2= 962=E9 E649 |2C< p==6? D2E ;FDE 2? 2C>’D =6?8E9 2H2J 7C@> #6:492C5] p==6? 925 366? 244FD65 @7 92C>:?8 C6D:56?ED @? D6G6? AC6G:@FD @442D:@?D D:?46 96 DE2CE65 9:D 6>A=@J>6?E 2E r9@2E6 :? a_`` — 2?5 925 366? 4=62C65 E@ C6EFC? E@ H@C< 6249 E:>6]k^Am
kAmr@==628F6D H@F=5 =2E6C E6== x==:?@:D $E2E6 !@=:46 :?G6DE:82E@CD E92E p==6? H2D G@=2E:=6 2?5 >@@5J] w6 E@=5 E96> 96 H2D 2? xC2B (2C G6E6C2? 5:28?@D65 H:E9 A@DE\EC2F>2E:4 DEC6DD 5:D@C56C]k^Am
An image of Reichard’s bed from the police report. Closer images show blood splatter on the floor and the wall.
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE REPORT obtained by Capitol News Illinois and Lee Enterprises Midwest
kAmp 76==@H C6D:56?E H9@ H2=<65 3J E96 C@@> E@=5 A@=:46 E92E 96 D2H p==6? 4@?E:?F6 E@ AF>>6= #6:492C5’D 7246 6G6? 27E6C #6:492C5 H2D DEC2AA65 5@H? @? 9:D 365] %96 4C:>6 D46?6 A9@E@D D9@H 3=@@5 DA=2EE6C65 @? E96 7=@@C 2?5 H2==D @7 9:D 365C@@>]k^Am
kAmp==6? E9C62E6?65 #6:492C5 H:E9 562E9 :7 96 C6A@CE65 E92E 6>A=@J66D 925 362E 9:> FAj >256 7F? @7 9:> 7@C ?@E 92G:?8 2 8:C=7C:6?5j 2?5 AF?4965 9:> 282:? :? E96 ;2H[ ?@D6 2?5 6J6D[ #6:492C5 E@=5 DE2E6 A@=:46 :? 2? :?E6CG:6H]k^Am
kAm(9:=6 #6:492C5 H2D DE:== C6DEC2:?65[ p==6? D6?E 2 E6IE >6DD286 E@ 2 4@==628F6] %96 E6IE[ =2E6C @3E2:?65 3J A@=:46[ C625[ “H6 ;FDE 8@E 5@?6 DEC2AA:? q=2:?6 :?… x 7YYYYY 9:D H@C=5 FA E9:D >@C?:?8]” “& 8FJD 2=H2JD 5@ =@=…[” D96 C6DA@?565]k^Am
k2D:56 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\C6=4@?E6?E E?4>D\:?=:?6\2=:8?>6?E\C:89E E?4>D\:?=:?6\H:5E9\@?6\E9:C5Qmk^2D:56m
kAmu:7E66? >@?E9D A2DD65 367@C6 2?J@?6 H2D 2CC6DE65] x? |2C49 a_`e[ p==6? H2D 492C865 H:E9 E9C66 76=@?J 4@F?ED @7 288C2G2E65 32EE6CJ 2?5 :?E:>:52E:@?] x? ~4E@36C a_`e[ 492C86D H6C6 7:=65 282:?DE E9C66 @E96C r9@2E6 6>A=@J66D[ rFCE t==:D[ yFDE:? qFE=6C 2?5 tC:4 q:EE=6[ H9@ H6C6 2== 244FD65 @7 96=A:?8 p==6? 4@?462= E96 23FD6 2?5 =J:?8 E@ E96 A@=:46]k^Am
kAm(:E9:? 2 >@?E9 @7 36:?8 492C865[ 4@FCE C64@C5D D9@H65 t==:D 4FE 2 562=[ 28C66:?8 E@ A=625 8F:=EJ :? 6I492?86 7@C 2 >:D56>62?@C 4@?G:4E:@? 7@C 72:=:?8 E@ C6A@CE E96 >2EE6C E@ 2FE9@C:E:6D] q:EE=6 2?5 qFE=6C 7@==@H65 DF:E H:E9:? E9C66 >@?E9D]k^Am
kAm}62C=J D6G6? J62CD E@ E96 52J 27E6C #6:492C5’D 2DD2F=E[ p==6? A=62565 8F:=EJ E@ 2 76=@?J[ 3FE ?@E 7@C 362E:?8 #6:492C5] w6 A=62565 8F:=EJ E@ 76=@?J @3DECF4E:@? 7@C 56DEC@J:?8 6G:56?46 3J E9C@H:?8 2H2J E96 3=@@5J E@H6= 96’5 FD65 E@ >@A FA #6:492C5’D 3=@@5] w6 H2D D6?E6?465 E@ EH@ J62CD @7 AC@32E:@?]k^Am
kAm&?E:= ?@H[ E96 #6:492C5 42D6 92D ?6G6C 366? 4@G6C65 :? E96 AC6DD] xE 2=D@ 5:5 ?@E D6CG6 2D 2 56E6CC6?E E@ E96 2==6865 >:DEC62E>6?E @7 C6D:56?ED 3J 6>A=@J66D 2E r9@2E6]k^Am
k9bmV%96 A6C764E G:4E:>Vk^9bm
kAm!6@A=6 7C@> 24C@DD x==:?@:D 4@>6 E@ =:G6 2E E96 af_\365 724:=:EJ @? E96 @FED<:CED @7 E96 D>2== E@H? @7 p??2[ x==:?@:D] xE D6CG6D A6@A=6 H:E9 :?E6==64EF2= 2?5 56G6=@A>6?E2= 5:D23:=:E:6D[ >6?E2= :==?6DD6D @C 2 4@>3:?2E:@? @7 5:D@C56CD] !2E:6?ED 42? 6?E6C G@=F?E2C:=J @C 36 A=2465 E96C6 3J 2 8F2C5:2?[ @C 2 ;F586 >2J @C56C E96> E@ r9@2E6 7@C EC62E>6?E 27E6C 7:?5:?8 E96J’C6 2E C:D< @7 92C>:?8 E96>D6=G6D @C @E96CD] |2?J 6?5 FA =:G:?8 2E r9@2E6 7@C J62CD]k^Am
kAm}62C=J `dT @7 r9@2E6 C6D:56?ED H:E9 56G6=@A>6?E2= 5:D23:=:E:6D 92G6 5:28?@D6D :? E96 D6G6C6 @C AC@7@F?5 C2?86j 23@FE `_T 2C6 ?@?G6C32=]k^Am
kAm“x? 6DD6?46[ >2?J @7 E96D6 :?5:G:5F2=D 42? 36 ‘E96 A6C764E G:4E:>’ 7@C 2 4C:>6 3642FD6 :E :D 62DJ E@ 42DE 5@F3E @? D@>6@?6 H9@ 92D >6?E2= 492==6?86D @C 42?’E 8:G6 2 DE2E6>6?E 5F6 E@ E96:C >6?E2= 962=E9 DE2EFD[” D2:5 %J=6C %C:AA[ E96 DE2E6’D 2EE@C?6J :? &?:@? r@F?EJ]k^Am
kAmr9@2E6 9@FD6D E96 DE2E6’D @?=J 7@C6?D:4 F?:E 7@C A6@A=6 H:E9 :?E6==64EF2= 2?5 56G6=@A>6?E2= 5:D23:=:E:6D H9@ 92G6 366? 244FD65 @7 2 4C:>6 2?5 7@F?5 6:E96C F?7:E E@ DE2?5 EC:2= @C ?@E 8F:=EJ 3J C62D@? @7 :?D2?:EJ] %92E’D E96 F?:E H96C6 #6:492C5[ H9@ 925 366? 2CC6DE65 7@C 2EE24<D @? 9:D 72>:=J[ A@=:46 2?5 >65:42= A6CD@??6=[ :?:E:2==J =:G65j 96 H2D >@G65 E@ E96 =6DD C6DEC:4E:G6 “DE6A\5@H?” F?:E :? a_`c] %9@F89 r9@2E6 :?4=F56D 2 D>2== ADJ49:2EC:4 F?:E[ 2 C6G:6H @7 C64@C5D D9@HD E92E >@DE @7 E96 2==6865 >:DEC62E>6?E 92D :?G@=G65 A2E:6?ED H:E9 56G6=@A>6?E2= 2?5 :?E6==64EF2= 5:D23:=:E:6D]k^Am
kAm#64@C5D 7C@> E96 xsw$ :?DA64E@C 86?6C2=’D @77:46 — E96 :?E6C?2= H2E495@8 492C865 H:E9 :?G6DE:82E:?8 HC@?85@:?8 2E E96 DE2E6’D 724:=:E:6D — D9@H E96 @77:46 :?G6DE:82E65 >@C6 E92? `[d__ C6A@CED E@ :ED 9@E=:?6 E92E 2==6865 A2E:6?E 23FD6 @C ?68=64E 3J 6>A=@J66D 2E r9@2E6 @G6C 2 `_\J62C A6C:@5 6?5:?8 :? a_a`] %92E’D >@C6 E92? 2?J @7 E96 `a @E96C 724:=:E:6D @A6C2E65 3J xsw$[ D@>6 @7 H9:49 92G6 >@C6 A2E:6?ED E92? r9@2E6] %9@D6 C6A@CED :?4=F56 C@F89=J g__ 4=2:>D @7 A9JD:42= 23FD6[ `__ @7 D6IF2= 23FD6 2?5 e__ @7 >6?E2= 23FD6[ 7:?2?4:2= 6IA=@:E2E:@? @C ?68=64E]k^Am
kAmx?E6C?2= :?G6DE:82E@CD 7@F?5 23@FE dT @7 E96 42D6D E@ 36 DF3DE2?E:2E65[ C@F89=J :? =:?6 H:E9 E96 DE2E6H:56 DF3DE2?E:2E:@? C2E6] qFE 25G@42E6D 24<?@H=6586 E92E H9:=6 C6D:56?ED @7 E96 DE2E6’D 724:=:E:6D D@>6E:>6D 7:=6 72=D6 C6A@CED[ r9@2E6 :? A2CE:4F=2C 92D 72465 C6A62E65 4C:E:4:D>D 7C@> E96 :?DA64E@C 86?6C2=[ AC@D64FE@CD 2?5 DE2E6 A@=:46 7@C :?E6C76C:?8 :? E96:C :?G6DE:82E:@?D :?E@ 2==6865 HC@?85@:?8]k^Am
kAm%96 ?F>36C @7 23FD6 2?5 ?68=64E 2==682E:@?D 7C@> r9@2E6 C6A@CE65 2??F2==J E@ E96 286?4J’D :?DA64E@C 86?6C2= 92D 366? DE625:=J 4=:>3:?8 7@C 2 564256] %96C6 H6C6 >@C6 E92? a__ C6A@CED :? 7:D42= J62C a_a`[ E96 =2E6DE A6C:@5 7@C H9:49 52E2 H2D 2G2:=23=6] %92E H2D >@C6 E92? 5@F3=6 E96 ?F>36C 7C@> 7:D42= J62C a_`a]k^Am
kAmx? 255:E:@? E@ E96 492C86D @7 G:@=6?46[ r9@2E6 6>A=@J66D 92G6 366? E96 DF3;64E @7 9F?5C65D @7 @E96C 2==682E:@?D[ 244@C5:?8 E@ C6A@CED 7C@> xsw$’ ~77:46 @7 E96 x?DA64E@C v6?6C2= 2?5 &?:@? r@F?EJ 4@FCE 7:=6D] p>@?8 E96 DF3DE2?E:2E65 2==682E:@?D 2C6 :?DE2?46D H96? DE277 E@CEFC65 2?5 9F>:=:2E65 A2E:6?ED[ :?4=F5:?8 @?6 H9@ H2D >2C4965 ?2<65 :? 7C@?E @7 A66CD 2D AF?:D9>6?E 7@C E2<:?8 E@@ =@?8 :? E96 D9@H6C[ 2?5 2?@E96C H9@ H2D 7@C465 E@ 5C:?< 2? 6?E:C6 4FA @7 9@E D2F46]k^Am
kAm%96 DF3DE2?E:2E65 2==682E:@?D 2=D@ :?4=F56 :?4:56?ED @7 6>A=@J66D FD:?8 C24:2= 2?5 9@>@A9@3:4 D=FCD[ D6?5:?8 D6IF2==J :?2AAC@AC:2E6 E6IE >6DD286D E@ 2 A2E:6?E[ 2?5 3C:3:?8 C6D:56?ED H:E9 EC62ED E@ 8:G6 E96 6>A=@J66D 7@@E 2?5 D9@F=56C >2DD286D[ 244@C5:?8 E@ ~xv C6A@CED]k^Am
kAmx? ~xv 42D6D 3C@F89E 36EH66? 7:D42= J62CD a_`d 2?5 a_aa[ 6>A=@J66D 92G6 2=D@ 366? 244FD65 @7 G2C:@FD 7@C>D @7 ?68=64E[ :?4=F5:?8 D=66A:?8 @? E96 ;@3 2?5 72:=:?8 @? >F=E:A=6 @442D:@?D E@ AC@E64E 4=:6?ED H:E9 A:42[ 2 52?86C@FD 5:D@C56C E92E 42FD6D A6@A=6 E@ :?86DE :?65:3=6 @3;64ED]k^Am
kAmx? @?6 42D6[ 2 A2E:6?E H2D CFD965 E@ 2 9@DA:E2= 27E6C DH2==@H:?8 2 C2K@C 3=256j H9:=6 E96C6[ F?56C E96 42C6 @7 2 r9@2E6 6>A=@J66[ E96 A2E:6?E C6>@G65 EH@ 32EE6C:6D 7C@> 2 962CE >@?:E@C 2?5 DH2==@H65 E96>] w@DA:E2= DE277 C6A@CE65 E92E E96 6>A=@J66’D 766E H6C6 AC@AA65 FA[ 9:D 9625A9@?6D H6C6 @? 2?5 96 H2D A=2J:?8 @? 9:D 46==A9@?6]k^Am
kAmz@==:2D[ E96 xsw$ DA@<6DA6CD@?[ D2:5 E96 286?4J :D 4@?46C?65 23@FE E96 G@=F>6 @7 C6A@CED @7 23FD6 2?5 ?68=64E 2E r9@2E6[ 3FE 25565 E92E E96 9:89 ?F>36C @7 2==682E:@?D 4@F=5 2=D@ 36 2 D:8? E92E DE277 2?5 C6D:56?ED C6A@CE A@E6?E:2= >:D4@?5F4E 2E 2 9:896C C2E6 E92? A6@A=6 2E :ED @E96C 724:=:E:6D]k^Am
k9bms6=2J65 4@?D6BF6?46Dk^9bm
kAmu@C 2AAC@I:>2E6=J cg 9@FCD[ E96C6 H2D ?@ 42== E@ 2 5@4E@C E@ EC62E #6:492C5’D :?;FC:6D] %96C6 H2D ?@ 42== E@ E96 ~xv 9@E=:?6 E@ C6A@CE E96 23FD6[ 2 42== E92E E96 =2H 5:4E2E6D >FDE 36 >256 H:E9:? 7@FC 9@FCD @7 E96 5:D4@G6CJ @7 2? :?4:56?E] pE =62DE E9C66 D9:7ED @7 H@C<6CD 42>6 2?5 H6?E H:E9@FE C2:D:?8 2? 2=2C>[ E96 A@=:46 C6A@CE D9@H65]k^Am
kAm(96? D64FC:EJ 2CC:G65 @? E96 F?:E |@?52J >@C?:?8 E@ 7@==@H FA @? 2? 2?@?J>@FD C6A@CE[ #6:492C5[ 9:D 7246 3CF:D65 2?5 DH@==6?[ 8C66E65 E96 @77:46C H:E9 @FEDEC6E4965 2C>D 2?5 D2:5[ “{@@< H92E E96J 5:5 E@ >6[” 244@C5:?8 E@ 2? 6>A=@J66 H9@ H2D @? E96 F?:E E92E 52J 3FE H9@ :D ?@E 2FE9@C:K65 E@ DA62< AF3=:4=J]k^Am
Blaine Reichard’s initial statement, which was given to a Choate security officer, is included in the Illinois State Police investigation file.
Illinois State Police document obtained by Capitol News Illinois and Lee Enterprises Midwest)
kAmx? 2? :?E6CG:6H H:E9 2 C6A@CE6C[ p==6? 24<?@H=65865 E92E #6:492C5 925 366? 2DD2F=E65 3FE >2:?E2:?65 96 H2D ?@E E96 @?6 H9@ 5:5 :E] w6 564=:?65 E@ 2?DH6C 7FCE96C BF6DE:@?D] qFE=6C 5:5 ?@E C6DA@?5 E@ 42==D A=2465 E@ 2 A9@?6 ?F>36C AC@G:565 3J 2 72>:=J >6>36C[ @C E@ >6DD286D D6?E E9C@F89 u2463@@<] #6A@CE6CD D6?E >6DD286D E@ t==:D 2?5 q:EE=6 E9C@F89 u2463@@< 2?5 E9C@F89 2 F?:@? C6AC6D6?E2E:G6 D66<:?8 4@>>6?Ej E96 F?:@? C6AC6D6?E2E:G6 D2:5 3@E9 >6? 925 366? >256 2H2C6 @7 E96 DE@CJ 2?5 925 366? AC@G:565 H:E9 4@?E24E :?7@C>2E:@? 7@C 2 C6A@CE6C[ E9@F89 E96J 5:5 ?@E C6DA@?5]k^Am
kAm(9:=6 E96 7@FC >6? H6C6 :?:E:2==J 492C865 H:E9 76=@?:6D[ ?@ @?6 H2D F=E:>2E6=J 96=5 4C:>:?2==J C6DA@?D:3=6 7@C E96 362E:?8]k^Am
kAm%96 ?6HD @C82?:K2E:@?D’ :?G6DE:82E:@? 7@F?5 E92E E9:D H2D ?@E E96 @?=J :?4:56?E :? H9:49 4@?D6BF6?46D H6C6 56=2J65 @C >:?:>:K65] %96 :?G6DE:82E:@? 7@F?5 E92E 6>A=@J66D H9@ 23FD6 C6D:56?ED @C 6?8286 :? @E96C >:D4@?5F4E 7246 76H D6C:@FD 4@?D6BF6?46D] xsw$ 5@6D ?@E EC24< 6>A=@J66 2CC6DED 2E :ED >6?E2= 962=E9 2?5 56G6=@A>6?E2= 46?E6CD]k^Am
kAmr@FCE C64@C5D D9@H E92E aa @E96C 6>A=@J66D 92G6 72465 76=@?J 492C86D D:?46 E96 7@FC 2CC6DED :? E96 #6:492C5 42D6] ~7 E9@D6[ `` A=62565 8F:=EJ :? 6I492?86 7@C E96:C 492C86D 36:?8 C65F465 E@ >:D56>62?@CD @C H6C6 D6?E6?465 E@ AC@32E:@? :? =:6F @7 492C86D[ D6G6? 92G6 42D6D A6?5:?8[ 2?5 7@FC 925 42D6D 5:D>:DD65]k^Am
kAm}@?6 @7 E9@D6 492C865 92G6 D6CG65 AC:D@? E:>6]k^Am
kAmp==6? 9@=5D E96 5:DE:?4E:@? @7 36:?8 E96 @?=J 6>A=@J66 2E r9@2E6 4@?G:4E65 @7 2 76=@?J C6=2E65 E@ A2E:6?E >2=EC62E>6?E :? 2E =62DE 2 564256]k^Am
k2D:56 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\C6=4@?E6?E E?4>D\:?=:?6\2=:8?>6?E\=67E E?4>D\:?=:?6\H:5E9\@?6\E9:C5Qmk^2D:56m
kAm*6E ?6:E96C 96 ?@C E96 @E96C E9C66 r9@2E6 6>A=@J66D 4@?G:4E65 :? E96 #6:492C5 42D6 92G6 366? 7:C65] t==:D 2?5 qFE=6C H6C6 2=>@DE :>>65:2E6=J A=2465 @? =62G6[ 2D H2D q:EE=6 H96? E96 492C86D H6C6 7:=65] p7E6C A=625:?8 8F:=EJ[ E96 E9C66 C6EFC?65 E@ H@C< 2E r9@2E6[ >@H:?8 =2H?D[ 4@@<:?8 @C 5@:?8 =2F?5CJ] p3@FE E9C66 J62CD 28@[ E96:C DE2EFD C6EFC?65 E@ 25>:?:DEC2E:G6 =62G6] %96J ?@ =@?86C 5@ 2?J H@C< 2E r9@2E6[ 3FE E96J DE:== C646:G6 2 DE2E6 A2J4964< E@52J] $:?46 E96 :?4:56?E[ E2IA2J6CD 92G6 A2:5 E96 EC:@ >@C6 E92? S` >:==:@? 4@>3:?65] %96:C 2??F2= D2=2C:6D C2?86 36EH66? Sd_[___ 2?5 Sdc[___[ xsw$ C64@C5D D9@H]k^Am
kAm%96 E9C66 2C6 2=D@ C646:G:?8 E96:C D4965F=65 C2:D6D[ 962=E9 :?DFC2?46 36?67:ED[ G242E:@? E:>6 2?5 D6CG:46 4C65:E E@H2C5 E96:C A6?D:@?D] !6C E96:C A=62 562=D[ E96:C 4@FCE 766D 2>@F?E65 E@ Sg_f 6249[ Sbd_ @7 H9:49 H2D 2 7:?6]k^Am
kAmy@9? “|:<6” s:4<6CD@?[ E96 F?:E DFA6CG:D@C @? 5FEJ E96 52J @7 E96 2DD2F=E[ A2CE:4:A2E65 :? C6DEC2:?:?8 #6:492C5[ 244@C5:?8 E@ A@=:46 C64@C5D] %9@F89 96 H2D ?@E 492C865 :? E96 #6:492C5 362E:?8[ s:4<6CD@? H2D C62DD:8?65 E@ >@H 8C2DD 2E E96 724:=:EJ EH@ J62CD =2E6C[ C64@C5D D9@H]k^Am
kAmq6EH66? H96? E96 :?4:56?E @44FCC65 :? a_`c 2?5 H96? 96 C6E:C65 :? s646>36C a_`f[ 96 C646:G65 S`eg[___ :? D2=2CJ[ A=FD :?DFC2?46 2?5 4C65:E E@H2C5 9:D A6?D:@?] w6 C646:G6D Sbh[___ 2 J62C :? DE2E6 A6?D:@? 36?67:ED] kDA2? :5lQ5@4D\:?E6C?2=\8F:5\`3f3`dc`\f777\37a`\6_`5\34`ecbh6h`a6QmkDA2?ms:4<6CD@?[ C624965 2E 9@>6[ 564=:?65 E@ 4@>>6?E]k^DA2?mk^DA2?mk^Am
kAmxsw$ D6?:@C @77:4:2=D E@=5 C6A@CE6CD :? 2? :?E6CG:6H E92E p==6?’D 4@H@C<6CD 2?5 DFA6CG:D@C H6C6 @FE=:6CD :? E6C>D @7 E96 2>@F?E @7 E:>6 E96J DA6?E @? A2:5 25>:?:DEC2E:G6 =62G6] qFE 286?4J C64@C5D @3E2:?65 G:2 E96 uC665@> @7 x?7@C>2E:@? p4E D9@H ae r9@2E6 6>A=@J66D H6C6 @? A2:5 =62G6 2D @7 E96 6?5 yF?6[ E96 =2DE >@?E9 @7 E96 DE2E6 7:D42= J62C] t=6G6? 92G6 366? @? A2:5 =62G6 7@C >@C6 E92? 2 J62C] $@>6 @7 E96D6 42D6D :?G@=G6 6>A=@J66D H9@ H6C6 492C865 H:E9 4C:>6D @C 2C6 F?56C 4C:>:?2= :?G6DE:82E:@?]k^Am
kAmxsw$’ DA@<6DA6CD@? D2:5 25>:?:DEC2E:G6 C6G:6HD 3J :ED :?DA64E@C 86?6C2= EJA:42==J 5@ ?@E AC@4665 F?E:= 2?J 4C:>:?2= :?G6DE:82E:@? :D 4@?4=F565]k^Am
kAm“#68C6EE23=J[ D@>6 :?G6DE:82E:@?D[ H9:49 42? 36 4@?5F4E65 3J E96 x==:?@:D $E2E6 !@=:46[ E96 xsw$ ~xv[ @C 3@E9[ 2?5 E96 AC@D64FE@C:2= 564:D:@? H96E96C E@ 492C86 2? :?5:G:5F2= 92G6 E2<6? J62CD E@ 4@>A=6E6[” xsw$’ DE2E6>6?E C625]k^Am
kAmp DFA6CG:D@C H:E9 E96 ~xv’D @77:46 HC@E6 :? 2 |2J a_a_ 6>2:= E@ x?DA64E@C v6?6C2= !6E6C }6F>6C E92E E96 :?E6C?2= :?G6DE:82E:@? H:== CF=6 E92E E96 23FD6 492C86 282:?DE p==6? :D DF3DE2?E:2E65[ 2D 2C6 E96 492C86D 282:?DE E96 @E96C E9C66 7@C 68C68:@FD ?68=64E 7@C “?@E DE@AA:?8 E96 23FD6[ 4@==F5:?8 2?5 72:=:?8 E@ C6A@CE[” 244@C5:?8 E@ 6>2:=D @3E2:?65 3J E96 ?6HD @C82?:K2E:@?D] w:D 6>2:= 7C@> >@C6 E92? EH@ J62CD 28@ 2D<65 :7 :E H@F=5 36 A@DD:3=6 E@ AC@4665 H:E9 4=@D:?8 @FE E96 42D6 3642FD6 “:E 92D 8@?6 @? E@@ =@?8 2=C625J]”k^Am
kAm$6?:@C @77:4:2=D H:E9:? xsw$ 2?5 :ED ~xv H9@ DA@<6 E@ C6A@CE6CD 564=:?65 E@ 6=23@C2E6 7FCE96C @? E96 56E2:=D @7 E96 :?G6DE:82E:@?] (:E9 p==6?’D 8F:=EJ A=62 E9:D A2DE s646>36C[ E96 :?G6DE:82E:@? :D ?62C:?8 4@>A=6E:@?[ 2?5 56A6?5:?8 @? E96 C6DF=ED[ xsw$ H:== 6:E96C AFCDF6 5:D4:A=:?6 @C C6EFC? qFE=6C[ q:EE=6 2?5 t==:D E@ H@C<[ E96 286?4J’D DA@<6DA6CD@? D2:5 :? 2 DE2E6>6?E]k^Am
kAm$E2E6 A@=:46 D2:5 :? 2 DE2E6>6?E E92E 23FD6 42D6D 2C6 492==6?8:?8 E@ :?G6DE:82E6 5F6 E@ 2 =24< @7 H:E?6DD 4@@A6C2E:@? 2?5 4@CC@3@C2E:?8 6G:56?46]k^Am
kAm(9:=6 p==6? H2D DFDA6?565 H:E9@FE A2J H96? 96 H2D 492C865 :? a_`e[ 96 C6>2:?65 @? E96 DE2E6 A2JC@== 5FC:?8 E96 `d\>@?E9 A6C:@5 36EH66? E96 E:>6 @7 E96 :?4:56?E 2?5 E96 E:>6 96 H2D 492C865[ 4@==64E:?8 ?62C=J Sde[___ H9:=6 @? 25>:?:DEC2E:G6 =62G6[ xsw$ C64@C5D D9@H] w6 C646:G65 ?62C=J Sa[___ :? E9C66 255:E:@?2= A2J>6?ED 36EH66? a_`e 2?5 a_`h] pD 2 A2CE @7 9:D A=62 562=[ p==6? 28C665 E@ A2J 7:?6D 2?5 4@FCE 766D @7 Sa[gfc]k^Am
kAm#6:492C5 H2D 5:D492C865 7C@> r9@2E6 27E6C E96 2DD2F=E[ 3FE 96 H2D C625>:EE65 E9C66 J62CD 28@ 27E6C 96 2EE24<65 9:D >@E96C] s66>65 3J 2 ;F586 E@ 36 F?7:E E@ DE2?5 EC:2=[ 96 =:G6D :? E96 $J42>@C6 &?:E[ E96 D2>6 3F:=5:?8 H96C6 E96 2DD2F=E @44FCC65]k^Am
Historic photos: The coal mining era in Southern Illinois
Historic photo: Du Quoin's Grand Theatre
The Grand Theater on Du Quoin’s Main Street in the 1950s.
COURTESY ROBERT MOREFIELD
Historic photo: Du Quoin's Main Street in the 1950s
Main Street in Du Quoin in the 1950s during the Christmas holiday season.
Courtesy of Robert Morefield
Historic photos: The coal mining era in Southern Illinois
The United Electric Coal Company was open in Du Quoin from 1927 to 1974.
Courtesy of Robert Morefield
Historic photos: The coal mining era in Southern Illinois
Courtesy of Robert Morefield
In this Series
Updated
Jan 13, 2026
Updated
Jan 13, 2026
Updated
Jan 13, 2026
