Brenda Jo Poss Barnes, a 62-year-old woman from Sheridan, Illinois, tragically passed away on March 17, 2021. Brenda, born on May 10, 1958, in Aurora, Illinois, was a dedicated mother and grandmother who spent her life raising her children and working in customer service roles. She was known for her contagious smile and superb customer service at BP/Walmart. Brenda and her husband, Gregory Scott Barnes, Sr., were both found deceased at their residence in Sheridan, Illinois.
The circumstances surrounding Brenda Jo Poss Barnes' death were tragic and involved a double homicide. On the night of March 16, 2021, Donald Fredres, a 37-year-old man from Sandwich, Illinois, was accused of fatally shooting his former in-laws, Brenda and Gregory Barnes. The incident began when Fredres attempted to break into his ex-wife's home, shattering her front windows and injuring her with the shattered glass. After the attack on his ex-wife, Fredres proceeded to the Barnes' residence, where he fatally shot both Brenda and Gregory.
Fredres faced multiple murder charges, including murder with intent to kill, murder with strong probability, and aggravated discharge of a firearm. His bond was set at $5 million. The LaSalle County Sheriff's Office conducted a manhunt for Fredres, who was eventually apprehended while walking through a field near the Sheridan Correctional Center. At the time of his arrest, Fredres did not have a weapon, and the search for the gun continued.
The investigation into the double homicide revealed that Fredres had a history of threatening behavior towards his ex-wife, which ultimately led to the tragic events that claimed the lives of Brenda and Gregory Barnes. The community of Sheridan, Illinois, was deeply affected by the loss of the couple, who were well-known and loved by their family and friends.
