Justin Campbell, a 37-year-old Black male, tragically died on March 16, 2017, in Glen Carbon, Illinois. His death was the result of a gunshot wound to the head, which was discovered after a house fire at his residence on Dogwood Lane. The fire broke out early in the morning, and firefighters found Justin's body inside the home. The Madison County Coroner's Office confirmed that Justin had been shot in the head, and subsequent investigations revealed that his estranged wife, Cristy Campbell, a
32-year-old white female, was responsible for his death.
Cristy Campbell's body was later found in Silver Lake, approximately 400 feet from her partially submerged vehicle. She had driven away from the scene with their three-month-old son, who was rescued from the frigid water by a paramedic. The coroner determined that Cristy died from probable drowning complicated by hypothermia. Toxicology reports indicated the presence of caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol in her system, but there was insufficient information to determine her state of mind or intent at the time of her death.
The investigation into the deaths of Justin and Cristy Campbell involved multiple agencies, including the Glen Carbon Police Department, the Madison County Sheriff's Department, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services, and the Illinois Office of State Fire Marshal. Despite the thorough investigation, no additional parties were found to be involved in the incident. The couple had a troubled relationship, having filed for divorce twice, and the police had been called to their home numerous times over the years for domestic issues.
The tragic events left their seven children without parents. Justin Campbell was remembered as a family-oriented man who worked as a manager at Bob Evans in Collinsville, while Cristy was an office manager and a devoted mother. The community held a vigil to honor Justin's memory, highlighting the shock and sorrow felt by those who knew him.
