On the early morning of October 17, 2019, tragedy struck in North St. Louis County when police officers responded to a call on the 10100 block of Bon Oak Drive. Upon arrival at approximately 1:50 a.m., they discovered the body of 47-year-old Richard Lilie Jr., a male resident of Wentzville, Missouri. He had been fatally shot, marking a violent end for a man who was working his shift as a cab driver for the St. Louis County Cab Company at the time of the incident.
Investigators noted that his vehicle, a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria, was missing from the scene, prompting an immediate search for the stolen taxi and the person responsible for the slaying.
Richard Lilie Jr. was remembered by his family and colleagues as a dedicated and kind-hearted individual. He had worked as an independent contractor for the cab company since October 2011 and was known for his willingness to help passengers and friends alike. His daughter, Heather Lilie, described him as a 'rock star' with a heart of gold who loved cooking for his loved ones and would go out of his way to assist strangers. Despite the known dangers of his profession, he was committed to his job, often taking routes that other drivers might avoid to ensure his customers reached their destinations.
The investigation moved quickly as police coordinated with the cab company to track the missing vehicle. A few hours after the discovery of Lilie's body, the stolen taxi was located miles away on Taney Drive in Florissant. Officers conducting surveillance on the vehicle observed a man, later identified as 40-year-old Antouine Redmon, rifling through items in the trunk of the cab. Redmon was immediately taken into custody. A subsequent search of the area yielded significant forensic evidence; detectives found a bag containing bloody clothes and gloves next door to Redmon's home.
Forensic analysis of the recovered items solidified the case against the suspect. DNA testing revealed that the blood on the outside and inside of the gloves matched the victim, while DNA found inside the gloves matched Redmon. During an interview with investigators, Redmon admitted to his involvement in the crime, stating that he had attempted to rob the driver and that the confrontation resulted in Lilie’s death. Following his confession and the recovery of physical evidence, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office charged Antouine Redmon with first-degree murder and armed criminal action, holding him without bond as the community mourned the senseless loss of a beloved father and friend.
