A 13 year old boy's remains are located on a family friend's property
Robert "Bonsai" Bee Jr., a 13-year-old from Pekin, Illinois, went missing on November 17, 2016, after fleeing from a truancy officer who had come to his home to issue a truancy ticket. His disappearance was initially classified as an "endangered runaway" since he had a history of running away. However, the circumstances surrounding his case quickly became concerning when his mother, Lisa Bee, provided conflicting accounts about his whereabouts, stating at one point that he had stayed overnight at a friend’s home—a fact that was never confirmed by the authorities.
The search for Robert lasted nine months until July 24, 2017, when his remains were found scattered near Route 29, around 11 miles from his home. The discovery was made by someone who was mowing the lawn on a property connected to an acquaintance of Robert's mother. Dental records and subsequent DNA testing confirmed the identity of the remains as Robert’s. The process of obtaining DNA evidence took some time due to the earlier death of Robert’s father in March 2017, complicating the search for adequate samples needed for a conclusive match.
The investigation into Robert's death indicated that he was likely a victim of homicide. Pekin Police Detective Seth Ranney stated that the focus had shifted from locating Robert alive to determining what led to his death. Reports suggested that an individual with ties to the property where Robert's remains were found was involved in the investigation. This individual had connections to a family friend of Lisa Bee, and the wooded area behind the property was owned by another relative, raising further suspicions about the involvement of people close to the property where Robert was found. Despite these clues, police have not publicly named any suspects or made any arrests in the case.
Robert's death deeply affected the community, and numerous efforts were made by local volunteers and organizations to find him when he was initially reported missing. The community group "Team Bonsai" conducted searches and worked diligently to raise awareness about his disappearance. However, the lack of clear answers and the complexity of the family dynamics left many questions unanswered, and Robert’s tragic death remains surrounded by uncertainty. Investigators continued to pursue leads, but the circumstances of how Robert's life ended are still shrouded in mystery.
