On July 2, 2016, a tragic incident occurred in Hazel Crest, Illinois, resulting in the deaths of 3-year-old India Neeley, her 10-year-old sister Elle Neeley, and their 39-year-old father Dionus Neeley. The family was found shot to death inside their home on Crescent Drive. The incident was reported to the police around 2:20 a.m. after neighbors heard gunshots and a woman screaming. The victims were transported to local hospitals, where they were pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
India Neeley, a 3-year-old African American girl, was one of the victims of this heinous crime. The police investigation revealed that the shooting was likely targeted, with Dionus Neeley being the primary target due to his extensive criminal record, including drug-related arrests. The motive behind the killings was believed to be related to an unpaid drug debt owed by Dionus Neeley. Despite the targeted nature of the attack, the brutal murder of the two young girls, India and Elle, was described by the Hazel Crest Police Chief as an act of "pure evil."
The investigation into the murders of India Neeley and her family has been ongoing, with no arrests made as of the latest updates. The Hazel Crest Police Department, along with the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force, has been actively seeking information from the public to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. A reward was offered for any information leading to the arrest of those responsible. The community has been urged to come forward with any knowledge they might have about the incident, emphasizing the importance of justice for the innocent lives lost.
The case has garnered significant attention, with the grieving mother, Erin Ross, making public pleas for information to help solve the case. Despite the efforts of law enforcement and the community, the killers remain at large, leaving the family and the community in a state of mourning and fear. The tragic deaths of India Neeley, her sister, and her father highlight the devastating impact of violence and the urgent need for justice and resolution in such cases.
