Beason, a small town with a population around 200, was nestled quietly in the Illinois farmland, surrounded by serene hills and rolling landscapes. For decades, it had been a place where life moved slowly, almost untouched by the rush of modern life. Among the close-knit residents of Beason were the Gee family and Constant family, whose lives intertwined in the late 1990s, marking the start of a deeply connected story.
Raymond Gee: A Hardworking Beginning
Raymond Gee, a man of determination, began his journey in construction, working under his stepfather’s company in Lincoln, Illinois—a neighboring town offering essential services such as schools, restaurants, and a small airport. Raymond’s mother and stepfather lived in Lincoln, grounding him close to family as he saved up enough to buy a small property just outside Beason. His new home was a modest ranch-style house with a spacious yard and a two-car garage, providing the foundation for his new venture, Gee Construction.
In an effort to support his growing business, Raymond rented out a room, which introduced him to Ruth Constant. Ruth, along with her two young children, three-year-old Justina and one-year-old Dillen, moved into Raymond’s home as tenants. Over time, a friendship blossomed between Raymond and Ruth, leading to a romance that culminated in their marriage in 1997. Their family grew, welcoming two more children: Austin and, a year later, a daughter named Jessica.
Life threw a difficult twist when Jessica was diagnosed with a severe neurological condition. Lacking specialized facilities nearby, the family made the heartbreaking decision to place Jessica in a care facility in Peoria, Illinois, 50 miles away. Tragically, Jessica passed away, marking the first of a series of challenges the family would face.
Meanwhile, Dillen, Ruth’s young son, showed signs of hyperactivity and behavioral struggles. Diagnosed with ADHD, Dillen’s boundless energy and frequent challenges required ongoing support and therapy, although improvement remained limited.
Raymond’s daughter from a previous relationship, Nicole, entered adulthood and began dating Christopher Harris. The young couple married and eventually moved close to Raymond’s home, where they had their first child, Alyssa. Raymond and Ruth found joy in their roles as grandparents, frequently caring for Alyssa while Nicole and Chris worked. By 2009, Nicole and Chris welcomed a second child, and family bonds seemed stronger than ever.
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A Day in September: Tragedy Unfolds
In September 2009, Nicole’s grandfather, William “Pudge” Koehler, along with Adam Koehler, was assisting her with home improvements, laying new carpet in her home. The following day, a young neighbor rode his bike over to Raymond’s house, eager to show off his new ride. But as he approached the front porch, he saw blood smeared on the door and found it ajar.
Startled, the boy raced over to Nicole’s nearby home for help. Alarmed, Pudge and Adam rushed back to Raymond’s house, where Adam, upon reaching the porch, noticed a knife at the foot of the steps. With a sense of dread, he opened the door and flicked on the hallway light. Before him lay Raymond, facedown in a pool of blood—a sight he would never forget.
Adam ran back to Pudge, urging him to call 911. When police arrived, they entered a scene of horror. Blood was spattered across the hallway, and Raymond bore signs of a violent struggle. As officers ventured further, they encountered more devastating evidence of the attack, with damaged walls and overturned belongings.
Outside the main bedroom, they discovered the lifeless body of 14-year-old Dillen, his head and body severely injured, and blood so extensive it splattered onto the ceiling, casting a shadow over the scene. Moving cautiously, officers entered the main bedroom and found Ruth, lying on the floor in her nightgown. The trauma she suffered was profound—her skull partially collapsed, with heavy bloodstains on the surrounding walls.
The adjacent bathroom revealed one final, tragic sight: 11-year-old Austin lay face down on the bloody tiles, wearing only his underwear. It appeared that the family was caught off guard, likely attacked as they prepared for bed the night before.
Navigating the Scene of Tragedy
Uncertain if the assailant might still be present, officers proceeded cautiously down the blood-streaked hallway. They passed Dillen’s lifeless body, their steps bringing them closer to 16-year-old Justina’s room. Inside, they encountered an even more horrifying sight. Justina’s room bore extensive signs of violence; blood covered every surface, and her body lay on the bed with her head hanging over the side, resting above a pool of brain matter. The brutality inflicted upon her was staggering.
Just when the officers thought the nightmare couldn’t intensify, they discovered a final, devastating scene. In a darkened closet lay the tiny, crumpled form of a three-year-old girl, covered in blood. A wound revealed skin peeled back above her ear. Despite being hardened professionals, the officers were deeply shaken by the sight—especially when they realized the child was still alive. Acting quickly, a paramedic rushed her to an ambulance and onward to emergency care.
As news of the tragedy reached Chris, Nicole’s husband, he arrived at the Gee family home, summoned from work. There, the officers relayed the heartbreaking news—his family had been murdered. Yet amid this devastating loss, one hopeful fact emerged: Tabitha, the young girl, had survived. Despite this small piece of good news, Chris’s reaction was unexpected; instead of relief, he appeared anxious, quickly leaving for the trauma center where Tabitha was being treated.
Investigating Clues at the Scene
With the family’s survival and justice at stake, officers began a meticulous examination of the house for any clues. They uncovered a bloody handprint on the bathroom vanity near Austin’s body and a distinctive shoe print outside—a Swiss tennis shoe. Interviewing neighbors and collecting tips, police followed a possible lead: a witness had seen a silver pickup truck with tall exhaust pipes near the Gee family home around the time of the incident.
The autopsies revealed the unimaginable extent of each family member’s injuries, clarifying that all had suffered severe blunt-force trauma rather than gunshot wounds. Raymond Gee, the father, endured 39 injuries, including 13 to his head. Ruth’s body displayed 28 injuries, including a crushed skull. Austin sustained at least 21 skull injuries, and evidence suggested he had been pushed into hard surfaces, with even his feet showing signs of being stomped on. Dillen bore over 100 injuries, with 52 blunt-force impacts. Justina’s injuries were devastating, with parts of her skull missing.
Tabitha, though alive, was fighting for her life. She suffered multiple skull fractures and severe brain swelling, leading her doctors to take the risky step of removing small sections of her skull to relieve the pressure, hoping this intervention would give her brain a chance to heal. Despite her trauma, there was a glimmer of hope—she could move her arm, showing signs of strength. In the midst of her silent struggle, she became a beacon of hope in an otherwise dark tragedy, a possible witness who might help investigators piece together what happened.
Tabitha lay in her hospital bed, unable to speak or see due to severe facial swelling, while Nicole stayed by her side, providing support. Police officers remained close by, vigilant against any possible threat. Authorities recognized that Tabitha, as the only survivor, was not only a child in need but a critical witness who might hold key insights into the crime. Nicole willingly provided information, assisting officers in piecing together family dynamics and events leading up to the horrific incident.
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Chris and Nicole: Underlying Tensions
Through these trying times, Chris was present, supporting Nicole as she struggled through shock and grief. Their relationship had been tumultuous, with multiple breakups before a recent reconciliation in 2009, yet old tensions lingered, particularly as the investigation heightened. Days turned to weeks, but the police found themselves without solid leads. They had combed through every clue, from the suspicious vehicle sighting to the shoe print, but had yet to identify a suspect. The Gee family was widely respected in the community, known for their warmth and generosity, and the lack of any apparent motive deepened the mystery surrounding their tragic end.
With the brutal murders still unsolved, police urged Beason’s residents to stay vigilant, advising them to lock their doors, check on neighbors, and remain on high alert. As grief hung heavily over the town, the community gathered to pay their respects to the Gee family on September 28th. It was a day marked by sorrow and a palpable sense of fear, as everyone understood that the killer was still on the loose. Meanwhile, Tabitha remained hospitalized, her battle for life providing both hope and sadness for her loved ones and community members.
In an unexpected turn, a significant lead emerged within the very hospital where Tabitha was receiving treatment. After finishing his shift guarding her, a police officer shared an elevator ride with Chris Harris, who had just left Tabitha’s room. The officer noticed Chris’s shoes—Case Swiss sneakers with a tread pattern resembling the print found at the Gee family crime scene. He reported this observation to detectives, and Chris was promptly brought in for questioning. While a tread comparison revealed that Chris’s shoes were slightly larger than the print at the scene, detectives still sensed something was amiss. Moving forward, they opted to perform a fingerprint analysis.
Alibis and Defenses Begin to Unravel
To support Chris’s innocence, his brother, Jason Harris, provided an alibi, stating they had both been out of town on the night of the murders. Nicole, outraged at the notion of Chris’s involvement, defended him passionately on her MySpace page, posting a heartfelt message expressing her disbelief: “This whole situation is such a mess and so unfair.” During questioning, police noted that Chris showed no visible injuries, aside from a blister on his right hand.
Meanwhile, investigators found a potential clue near Jason’s residence—a tire iron lying by a creek, possibly linked to the crime. On October 2nd, police seized Chris’s truck, which was registered to Jennifer, Jason’s girlfriend. Jennifer and her mother, Sarah, had initially vouched for Chris and Jason’s whereabouts on the night of the murders. However, as detectives probed deeper, their alibis began to falter, eventually leading to Jennifer and Sarah’s arrest on charges of obstructing justice.
The investigation took a decisive turn when Chris’s palm print was identified at the crime scene, directly tying him to the murders. As detectives zeroed in on Chris, new witnesses stepped forward with unsettling accounts. Lori Cole, an armed security guard, reported that on the night of the murders, both Chris and Jason had come to her door around 11:35 PM, asking if she wanted to “party.” She declined, needing rest for work, but noticed their Ford Ranger parked outside, similar to the truck seen near the Gee family home. Lori noted that the brothers seemed intoxicated and reluctant to end their night, behavior that left her uneasy.
Another witness, Christie Moore, also came forward. Christie, who had been involved in an on-and-off relationship with Chris, received a call from him late that Sunday night. He was eager to meet, but she was occupied with her children and agreed to see him the next morning. Chris arrived at her home in Clinton, a short drive from Beason, about 12 hours after the murders. Christie recalled that Chris acted completely normal, even posing for affectionate photos with her, showing no visible injuries or signs of distress. The photos captured the couple smiling and kissing, seemingly oblivious to the horrific events that had unfolded.
Chris’s Silence and Jason’s Dilemma
Throughout the investigation, Chris maintained his innocence, refusing to admit involvement. When confronted with the fingerprint evidence, he invoked his Fifth Amendment rights and retained a lawyer. As the legal case against him strengthened, his brother Jason faced a moral crossroads. Initially charged with obstruction of justice, Jason soon found his charges elevated to five counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder—the same charges Chris was facing. Facing a potential life sentence, Jason was forced to decide: remain silent to protect his brother or speak out to protect himself.
Under the pressure, Jason began to share a disturbing account of that fateful night. He described a night steeped in drinking and drug use. Under the influence, he and Chris had sought female companionship, reaching out to former girlfriends who ultimately turned them down. Jason recounted that they had first gone to visit Lori Cole. While Jason waited in the truck, Chris approached Lori’s door, inviting her to join them. Lori declined, and the brothers were left to continue their intoxicated journey through the night—events that would soon lead to tragedy for the Gee family.
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Chris’s Dark Obsession and the Night of Horror
Jason’s testimony painted a haunting picture: Chris’s fixation on 16-year-old Justina Gee had driven him to the Gee family home that tragic night. According to Jason, Chris believed Justina had shown romantic interest, a notion that fueled his actions. Jason’s accounts varied, but a disturbing consistency emerged—Chris was the one who initiated the violence. Jason claimed he stayed in the truck as Chris approached the house, possibly armed with a tire iron.
In one account, Raymond Gee opened the door, leading to a confrontation that spiraled out of control when Chris allegedly grabbed the tire iron from the truck. Jason, sitting outside, described hearing muffled screams and heavy thuds, the terrifying sounds of violence. He witnessed Dillen flee the house, bleeding, with Chris in pursuit. Dillen, despite his injuries, managed to re-enter the home, where the violence continued. Chris returned to the truck shortly after, discarding his shoes and the tire iron along the way.
Evidence and Uncovered Intentions
As the investigation continued, detectives uncovered a troubling detail: Justina had recently withdrawn an attempted sexual assault complaint against Chris, suggesting his motives that night were rooted in this obsession. Following Jason’s testimony, police retraced his described path and found the discarded shoes and tire iron. Forensic analysis confirmed DNA on these items matched Chris and the Gee family, cementing Chris’s involvement.
On May 31, 2013, Chris Harris was found guilty of the Gee family murders. Sentenced on July 19 to five consecutive life terms, he also received additional years for attempted murder, home invasion, and robbery. During the trial, Chris attempted to argue that he had stumbled upon Dillen committing the murders and killed him in self-defense, a defense that was quickly dismissed. Despite a 2013 request for a retrial and a 2019 appeal, both were denied.
A former cellmate later reported a chilling confession from Chris, stating that Chris had described attacking Raymond with a tire iron after an argument, escalating to violence when Ruth intervened. The cellmate alleged Chris showed no remorse, expressing only that he regretted not burning down the house to eliminate evidence. This account further strengthened the case against Chris, painting an image of cold-blooded brutality.
Initially a defender of Chris, Nicole distanced herself as the evidence grew undeniable. During sentencing, seven-year-old Tabitha expressed the pain of her loss with heartbreaking clarity: “I am seven, and it still breaks my heart. I wish you were dead, and my brother, sister, mommy, and daddy were alive. You have to say sorry because do you know how badly that broke my heart?” Her words left the courtroom silent, underscoring the devastating impact of the crime.
Jason’s Sentence Reduction and Public Debate
Jason’s cooperation led to a reduced sentence of 10 years with credit for time served, sparking public debate about his leniency. Many felt his punishment insufficient, considering his inaction during the violence. Nonetheless, his testimony proved critical in convicting Chris. His girlfriend, Jennifer, and her mother faced probation and fines for obstructing the investigation.
During her recovery, Tabitha was cared for by compassionate state troopers who read to her, played games, and celebrated her birthday. Despite enduring several surgeries, she showed remarkable resilience, with her brain injuries leaving her with limited memory of the trauma. After a period in foster care, she was finally placed with her sister, Nicole, finding a new sense of family and safety.
Controversial Media Attention
In 2014, the case was featured on When Murder Comes to Town, sparking backlash as the show seemed to cast Dillen in a negative light, suggesting he may have been troubled enough to commit violence. This portrayal angered the community and the Gee family’s loved ones, who felt it unfairly misrepresented the victims and the tragic events, further complicating the already painful memories of those left behind.
The show’s portrayal of Dillen sparked outrage among those involved in the case. Officers and investigators released an open letter publicly challenging this characterization, which they felt was both unfair and inaccurate. In their letter, they highlighted Dillen’s courage, honoring him not just as a victim, but as a brave young man who fought valiantly to protect his family in the face of unimaginable violence. This tribute was intended to correct the narrative and honor Dillen’s memory, ensuring he was remembered for his heroism and resilience rather than the misrepresentations presented in the media.
