Jone Knapton

Jone Knapton was a dedicated mother and a valued employee who, at age 47, was starting a new chapter in her life. A computer analyst for the KONE corporation in East Moline, Illinois, she was known by her family as a workaholic who would stay up all hours to ensure a project was done right. The Fourth of July was a particularly special holiday for Jone and her family, a time for celebration along the Mississippi River. Her daughter, Nicole Rasmussen, remembered wanting to bring her boyfriend home to experience the festivities in 2003, but Jone told her she was too busy with a work project that weekend. It was a project she would never finish.

Concern grew when Jone, a female resident of a quiet East Moline neighborhood, failed to meet her work deadline and couldn't be reached after the holiday weekend. On July 6, 2003, her employer reported her missing. The search came to a horrifying end four days later, on July 10. A motorist driving over the Illinois Route 82 bridge spotted human remains in the Green River, north of Geneseo in rural Henry County. Investigators first recovered a torso, and a subsequent search yielded the victim's legs. It wasn't until the following month that DNA analysis confirmed the dismembered remains belonged to Jone Knapton. An autopsy could not determine a specific cause of death, and police believe she was killed between July 4 and July 5.

The investigation was a multi-jurisdictional effort involving the East Moline Police Department, the Henry County Sheriff's Office, and the Illinois State Police. Investigators examined Jone's home but found no signs of a break-in, robbery, or struggle. The scene led them to believe this was not a random act of violence but a planned and targeted killing. Detectives noted that Jone was in a low-risk category for becoming a victim of violent crime; she had a good job, close friends, and lived in a nice area. The focus of the investigation soon turned toward her personal life.

At the time of her murder, Jone was going through a contentious divorce from her estranged husband, Larry Knapton. She had filed for divorce in April 2003, alleging "extreme and repeated mental cruelty." According to police, Larry Knapton spoke with them once on July 8, when they notified him in Lake County that his wife was missing. After that initial conversation, investigators have said he never fully cooperated with the investigation or inquired about its status. He was named the primary person of interest in the case, though he has never been criminally charged.

The aftermath of the murder revealed further family turmoil. Court records show that in August 2003, Jone's daughter, Nicole, was granted an order of protection against her father. Later, a federal lawsuit was filed by a life insurance company over who should receive the payout from a policy held by Jone, which listed Larry Knapton as the beneficiary. The suit noted that Larry was a suspect in his wife's death. The case was eventually settled, with Larry Knapton receiving most of the insurance benefit.

For Jone's family, the years have been filled with unanswered questions and grief. "It’s another year, and every year is hard," her sister, Cheryl Ashcraft, said in a 2021 interview. "You know, every year, we just hope that at some point, we’re going to get a resolution and an arrest. We’re just waiting for that right piece of evidence." Her daughter expressed the difficulty of accepting the horrific reality of her mother's death, stating, "While I do hope that they do find the answer that they’re looking for, I’ve had to accept the fact that this is my life, and this has happened to me."

As of July 2024, the murder of Jone Knapton remains an active cold case. Investigators with the Illinois State Police continue to seek the piece of information that will finally bring justice for Jone and her family. A cash reward is available through Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities for anonymous tips that lead to a resolution. Anyone with information concerning the case is urged to contact Illinois State Police, Zone 2 Investigations at (309) 752-4915 or the Quad Cities Crime Stoppers at (309) 762-9500.