Do you know what happened to Patrenia Butler-Turner?
Patrenia Butler-Turner, aged 40, was reported missing on January 17, 2013, after she failed to return home from a trip to the store in East St. Louis. Her family spent years searching for her and trying to keep hope alive, but no concrete information surfaced until nearly a decade later. In December 2022, a major break came in the case when skeletal remains were found in a wooded area in Pontoon Beach, near Illinois Route 111. DNA testing confirmed that these remains belonged to Patrenia Butler-Turner.
The investigation revealed that Patrenia had last been seen getting into a red pickup truck, and it was her uncle, Roger Sutton Jr., who was eventually charged and found guilty of her murder. Sutton was accused of beating and strangling her before hiding her body. The discovery of her remains was made possible when Nathan Beyer, Sutton's nephew, came forward, overwhelmed by guilt, and confessed to witnessing his uncle kill Patrenia and helping dispose of her body. He led investigators to the wooded area where her body was hidden.
The trial for Roger Sutton Jr. culminated in a guilty verdict for first-degree murder and concealment of a homicidal death. Sutton now faces up to 60 years in prison for the murder, along with an additional 7 years for the concealment of the body. Nathan Beyer, who testified against his uncle, still faces charges for his role in hiding Butler-Turner's body. During the trial, Patrenia's family expressed mixed emotions regarding Beyer's involvement but appreciated his decision to come forward, which provided them with closure after nearly a decade of not knowing what happened to their loved one.
Patrenia's children, who had waited for years for answers, finally received some form of justice with the guilty verdict. The case was described as a long-awaited resolution for her grieving family, with Assistant State’s Attorney Lauren Maricle emphasizing the pain the family had endured during the years they were left without any answers. The verdict brought some relief, allowing the family to begin the healing process after the traumatic loss they experienced over ten years ago. Roger Sutton Jr. is awaiting sentencing for his crimes, while authorities continue to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
