Burl Ritcheson, a 66-year-old white male, was found dead at his residence in Murphysboro, Illinois, on August 14, 2017. Burl, born on January 11, 1951, in Monterey, Tennessee, had been an insurance adjuster and part-time bus driver for the Murphysboro School District. He was known for his love of hunting and fishing and was a member of Christ Community Church in Murphysboro.
Burl was survived by his daughter Stephanie Mobbs, his son Keith Ritcheson, and three grandchildren.
The investigation into Burl Ritcheson's death revealed a tragic and shocking turn of events. Burl and his wife Brenda were both found dead in their home, and their deaths were later determined to be homicides. The primary suspect in the case was their son, Keith Ritcheson, who had been living with them for four years following his divorce. Keith, a 41-year-old white male, was arrested and charged with the murders of his parents.
During the trial, it was revealed that Keith had grown increasingly frustrated with his parents' constant arguments about his presence in their home and his drinking habits. On the night of the murders, Keith shot both Burl and Brenda, leading to their untimely deaths. The case went to trial in September 2018, where Keith was convicted of first-degree murder for both his father and mother.
In February 2019, Keith Ritcheson was sentenced to two life sentences without the possibility of parole. The judge, Ralph Bloodworth, handed down the mandatory life sentences due to the severity of the crime and the fact that Keith had murdered more than one victim. This tragic case left the community of Murphysboro in shock and mourning, as they grappled with the loss of Burl and Brenda Ritcheson and the devastating actions of their son.
