Katie Kearns, a 24-year-old woman from Coal City, Illinois, was tragically found dead on November 17, 2017. Katie, who worked as a bartender, was reported missing after she failed to return home from her job at Woody's Bar in Joliet, a high-crime area. Her body was discovered in the back of her 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was parked inside a pole barn in Aroma Park Township, Kankakee County, approximately 50 miles from Joliet. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head.
Katie's boyfriend, Jeremy Boshears, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and concealing a homicidal death. Boshears, a member of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, had met Katie a few weeks prior to her death while working at Woody's Bar. The prosecution presented evidence that Boshears had shot Katie in the head on November 13, 2017, and then attempted to cover up the crime by hiding her body and her vehicle. Boshears was found guilty of first-degree murder and concealing a homicidal death in May 2022. He faces a sentence of 45 years to life in prison.
During the trial, it was revealed that Katie had been struggling with depression and had a history of drinking and drug use, which had left her friends worried. The prosecution also presented numerous Google searches retrieved from Boshears' phone, which indicated his emotional turmoil and possible motive for the crime. The jury deliberated for several days before reaching a verdict, and Boshears' sentencing date has not yet been set.
Katie Kearns' death has had a profound impact on her family and friends, who remember her as a vibrant and caring individual. Her tragic end has also highlighted the dangers faced by those working in high-crime areas and the importance of mental health support for individuals struggling with depression and substance abuse.
