Richard "Steve" Reams, a 65-year-old white male from Preemption, Illinois, tragically died on May 20, 2020. His death was part of a tragic incident that also claimed the life of his long-time partner, Myra Long, a 62-year-old white female. The Mercer County Sheriff's Department responded to a 911 call on the afternoon of May 20, 2020, and upon arrival, they found both Reams and Long with apparent gunshot wounds. They were pronounced dead at the scene by the Mercer County Coroner, Greg Larson.
The investigation into their deaths revealed that it was a case of homicide/suicide. Preliminary autopsy reports indicated that both Reams and Long died from single gunshot wounds. The forensic pathologist's preliminary opinion supported this finding, and the official manner and cause of death were confirmed by the Mercer County Coroner after the investigation was completed. The Mercer County Sheriff, Dusty Terrill, stated that the evidence collected during the investigation pointed towards this conclusion.
There were no arrests or suspects in this case, as the investigation determined that the incident was a homicide/suicide. Consequently, there were no litigations, murder charges, or law cases related to the deaths of Richard Steve Reams and Myra Long. The community of Preemption was deeply affected by the loss of the couple, who were remembered fondly by friends and neighbors. Bambi Nicely, a friend and neighbor, shared her memories of the couple, highlighting their friendly and caring nature. She recalled how Myra's infectious laugh and Steve's friendly demeanor made them beloved members of the community.
