Cindy L. Benson, a 34-year-old woman from Joliet, Illinois, tragically lost her life on July 28, 1997. Her death was part of a horrific incident that also claimed the lives of her 16-year-old daughter, Erica Benson, her sister Jymme Murphy, 28, and her brother-in-law James Murphy, 27. The perpetrator, Charles Smith, 53, was the estranged boyfriend of Cindy Benson.
The incident began as a domestic dispute between Smith and Cindy Benson in Joliet.
Smith fatally shot Cindy Benson in the passenger seat of her red Pontiac Grand Prix between 2 and 3 a.m. He then drove her body 36 miles west to the house of Benson’s sister in Marseilles, Illinois. Once there, Smith continued his rampage by shooting and killing Erica Benson, Jymme Murphy, and James Murphy.
After committing these murders, Smith raped a 13-year-old girl who was staying with the Murphys and attempted to strangle the Murphys’ young children. Fortunately, the children survived and were found unconscious but alive by neighbors who called the police. Smith ultimately took his own life by hanging himself with an orange extension cord in the family’s unfinished basement.
The tragic events shocked the community and led to a thorough investigation by local authorities. Smith had a history of prior arrests on weapons charges, which added complexity to the case. The surviving children were placed in the care of their grandparents, and the community rallied to support the grieving families.
This devastating incident highlighted the importance of addressing domestic violence and providing support to those affected by it. The loss of Cindy L. Benson and her family members left a lasting impact on their loved ones and the community at large.
