Norman T. Walker, a 51-year-old white male, was tragically killed on December 25, 2019, in Cullom, Illinois. Walker was one of three victims in a horrific triple homicide that occurred on Christmas Day. The other victims were Shirley A. Brewer, a 48-year-old white female, and her son, Christian Brewer, a 27-year-old white male. All three victims died from gunshot wounds to the head.
The perpetrator of this heinous crime was Clifford Brewer, a 55-year-old white male, who was a close friend of Norman Walker. Brewer was convicted of the murders in August 2022 and subsequently sentenced to three life terms plus an additional 20 years for the use of a firearm during the crime. The sentencing took place in October 2022. Brewer maintained that the shooting was an accident, but the court found him guilty of intentionally killing his wife, son, and neighbor.
The investigation revealed that Brewer called 911 on Christmas Day, claiming he woke up to find his wife, son, and neighbor dead in his home. The police found a washing machine running on a cycle to sanitize items inside, which raised suspicions. During the trial, Brewer's defense argued that Shirley Brewer shot her son and Walker, and that she was killed during a struggle for the weapon between her and Brewer. However, this defense was not accepted by the jury.
Valerie Brewster, the 31-year-old daughter of Norman Walker, expressed her devastation and disbelief over the loss of her father. She described Norman as a kind and helpful man who was well-liked by everyone in the community. Valerie and her twin sister, Alicia Brockett, shared their grief and the impact of their father's death during the victim impact statements in court. Valerie mentioned that she had to identify her father by his hairline due to the severity of his injuries.
The tragic deaths of Norman Walker, Shirley Brewer, and Christian Brewer have left a lasting impact on their families and the Cullom community. The case has brought to light the complexities of relationships and the devastating consequences of violence.
