Cassandra was shot in the middle of her forehead and in her chest. "Mr. Vaughn does not show his feelings or emotions to anyone under any circumstances," said attorney George Lenard. Not buying it. I told him that you had noticed and I had noticed a big personality change and anxiety change and that I was lethargic (tired all the time)., According to the new medication guide published in May 2009, the FDA required the manufacturer to insert into the product labeling new warnings informing patients and physicians: Effects on Thinking . That would be significant, he said. His lawyers argued Kimberly shot him and the kids and then killed herself. In addition to Jandura, two other firefighters, two Channahon police officers and Kimberly's mother, Susan Phillips, testified. whose wife and three children were found fatally shot in the Chris parents Gail and Pierre sit down with Dr. Phil for their first-ever live television appearance and discuss why they believe their son is innocent. Feb. 28, 2023. Unholy Rollers January 21 2014 22min TV-14 Subtitles Subtitles English [CC] The trial of a father accused of killing his family yesterday reached a dramatic moment when the jury were shown a bizarre video of the man refusing to look at photos of his children after they were shot. Victims Kimberly Vaughn, 34 Abigayle Vaughn, 12 Cassandra Vaughn, 11 Blake Vaughn, 8 News Archive: Vaughn Family murders Christopher Vaughn's defense centers on role of wife's medications Vaughn trial set for closing argument Prosecutor in Vaughn Case: "Give Them Justice" Christopher Vaughn guilty of killing family Husband, Father Convicted in 2007 Roadside Murder Case Christopher But what we see on the left thumb is seepage of blood from the wound, creating large patterns of passive blood drops. Christopher Vaughn, 32, is charged with eight counts of murder The sergeant tells him: 'Say their names. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. The nit picking of the family is BEYOND! "I don't think he felt what we feel when he held our (grand)children," said Phillips, who said he had hoped to hear some explanation or apology from Vaughn on Tuesday. Now, its clearly wrong.. Its drivers-side window was broken. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. There was no struggle for the weapon. Weiss said he was haunted for a time by what he saw the day of the murders, struggling to sleep or concentrate. Kimberly's father, Del Phillips, said the family never saw any sign that Christopher Vaughn was dangerous. None of this makes any logical sense. She had unbuckled her own seatbelt to reach back to shoot her three children. Kimberlys doctor began to prescribe a cocktail of medications to relieve her migraine headaches, including the prescription medications Nortriptyline and Topamax. Interviewed by detectives, the only memory Chris had was that Kimberly wanted him to pull off the highway because she was feeling nauseous, a symptom of her stress-induced migraine headaches. The Illinois State Police followed up by issuing subpoenas to her physicians requesting her medical records that may indicate suicidal or homicidal thoughts or impulses, or relating to Kimberlys prescriptions for and utilization of the drugs referred to as Topamax, Avapro, and Nortriptyline. She was taking Avapro for high blood pressure. He was convicted and they should keep Kims name out of their mouths. As he went to check the carrier on the roof, Vaughn said, he felt pain in his leg and noticed he was bleeding as he got back in the car. Plus, hear from the former Assistant State's Attorney who believes Chris is right where he belongs. He turns 47 on Sept. 26. Wtf would you blame the deceaseds mother! The boy was with his mother, Meghan, and two other brothers when they were involved in a road rage. Chris pleaded with police to get the video so he would know what happened to his family. After visiting a new doctor who specialized in osteopathic medicine, Kim wrote that her new doctor told her, stopping the migraine medication will also help stop my anxiety . Sit down dining, or available carryout, Year around. He spent over $4,000 on one stripper during two visits a week apart. Heres some of whats on our to-do list. And after Vaughn was taken to the hospital with minor gunshot wounds to his wrist and leg, Mills said, Vaughn expressed more concern for his special jacket and the possibility that emergency workers "were ruining his cowboy boots" than for his dead wife and children. Chris is wounded but survives. Tuesday, June 9, 2020 The Christopher Vaughn Murder Case Christopher Vaughn, a 32-year-old former private investigator who specialized in cyber-crime detection and computer security, lived with his wife and their three children in Oswego, Illinois, a suburban community of 30,000 west of Chicago. In 2004, Chris purchased a 9mm Taurus and joined the Washington Association of Legal Investigators (WALI). Even more compelling evidence supporting a murder-suicide came over a year after Chris was arrested when the Food and Drug Administration recommended a black box warning for a risk of suicidal behavior for the medicine Kimberly was taking to treat her stress-induced migraine headaches. He traveled all over the U.S and Mexico downloading computer hard drives and mobile devices for some of the largest law firms, Navigant clients. Prosecutors have said Christopher Vaughn dreamed of leaving his dull suburban life and decided to kill his family and embark on a survivalist sojourn in the Yukon. It seems like the family was dead set on focusing on the negative with Kim and her family. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Police detectives found at the Vaughn home a copy of PI Magazine with a cover story called Crime Scene Staging and Alterations: The CSI Effect on Criminal Investigations. ", After the sentencing, Kimberly's family hugged and shook hands with investigators. Homicidal and Suicidal Behavior Induced by Prescription Medications. There were chat messages recovered from his computer to a guy in Canada revealing he was contemplating strapping on a back pack and leaving civilization and his family to disappear into Alaskas Yukon. 'Today I lost everything,' Vaughn says on the video, later referring to how tired he is. That stripped away resources to defend Vaughn. The family all dressed in water park attire because thats where they believed they were going. I recommended that we appoint an expert in psychiatry to evaluate the statements Chris made to police. Kimberly Vaughn, 34, who had recently completed an online degree in criminal justice, was killed first, prosecutors said. Both medications were detected in the toxicology testing conducted at autopsy. Kimberly Phillips was born on December 12, 1972, to Del and Susan Phillips of Saint Charles, Missouri. "All this tragedy, because one person just could not walk away. (CBS), Neighbors and friends created a memorial outside He, along with Edward Deli, were convicted of killing two people and critically injuring a third in . By Will the strippers get two episodes to tell their story? Christopher Vaughn and his family Christopher Vaughn's letter to his parents Murder in Illinois: The crime scene reconstruction: . It didnt make sense that a guy, like Chris, an expert computer forensic investigator, would leave damaging evidence on his computer if he were contemplating killing his family. Angelo Ciaravino and Richard Zoller both have a way of getting their Mount Carmel teammates and the crowd fired up. . Ahhhhh. A federal court has overturned the 1991 conviction and death sentence of Von Lester Taylor, pictured here. the forensics and all circumstantial evidence, including Chris own words and online conversations point to one scenario, hes a family annihilator . Plans changed when Chris landed a job with Chicago-based Navigant. Have the Vaughns considered that the reason their in laws didn't want to visit them is because they are jerks? The interpretation of blood stains on Kimberlys lap and upper legs indicate she was leaning over the gun when it was fired, which further supports a suicide. . Key experts were never called to testify. @iheartradio needs to pull this disgrace of a podcast and issue an apology to the Phillips. This analysis of the crime scene evidence not only disproves the initial police theory that it was Chris who unbuckled the seat belt, but it helps to establish evidence supporting a defense theory that this was a murder-suicide committed by the wife. new content, we kindly appreciate any donation you can give to help Transfer stains occur when an object, like a thumb, comes into contact with a bloody object. Vaughn shot them all on a secluded section of the Interstate 55 frontage road just outside Channahon, Mills said. His case seems to be that the ballistics did not 100% line up with the state's theory. Compared with what I knew about Kimberly, yes, that would be a big change. lastly, its SO weird that his parents say things like accident they left all the odd terminology regarding the murders struck me as super weird. They released Blackie. 2007-02-15 Stephen Willott, was e-mail friend who planned to live in Canadian wilderness with Chris Vaughn 08/31/12 "Friend: Christopher Vaughn wanted simple life away from government, people" Prosecutors said Vaughn shoved his Taurus handgun under Kimberlys chin from outside the SUV and shot her, then reached over her to shoot his children. A few years before, Chris Vaughn had started Stone Bridge Security, a licensed private detective agency in Bellevue, WA. I am not sure how you get past this fact. Raw and intimate, HBO's new four-part docuseries Murder on Middle Beach follows new filmmaker Madison Hamburg as he attempts to solve the murder of his mother Barbara, who was attacked in her own front yard in Connecticut in 2010. If you hadn't started this thread, I would have. The new medication guide advised patients to inform their doctor right away if they experienced anxiety while taking the medication. Were ready for anything that occurs, Glasgow said. UPDATED: 8/20/2011 - 4:46 p.m. CHICAGO (CBS) -- Jurors in Christopher Vaughn's family murder trial were shown graphic photos of the defendant's dead wife and three children, and prosecutors . He noted that hes previously dismissed murder cases when he found he could no longer prove them. deaths. . Clutter also previously suggested that Vaughn had dissociative amnesia. Police then used trickery to illicit a confession. Before the death penalty went away, I was bringing in an expert to help explain this. November 27, 2012 / 10:33 AM / CBS Chicago. Plus, hear from the former Assistant States Attorney who believes Chris is right where he belongs. 'Whatever they did, they deserve back,' said Vaughn. According to the prosecution, he reportedly killed his family in order to survive in the Canadian forest. A documentary murder mystery about the filmmaker's family, set in lower Alabama. When they latched the seat belt, the large bloodstain was located right at the point where the latch came together. He then. Kims sister paints a picture of a person who wanted to be a good mom, good wife, a good person. Elizabeth, another sister, and Jennifer, Kimberly's twin, were both there. Then, the surviving husband and father revealed that he had been getting threats. Our crime scene expert Tom Bevel used a dowel rod to determine the bullet trajectory. 10. Jurors didn't buy the theory, returning guilty verdicts in September after deliberating for just 45 minutes. Beloved wife of Christopher Vaughn; beloved mother of Abigayle, Cassandra and Blake; beloved daughter of Del and Susan Phillips Christopher Vaughn was bleeding from his left thigh and hand. the Vaughn family's Oswego home. He then fell 'head-first' out of the vehicle and stumbled down the road until he flagged down a passing motorist, he said. Vaughn is being held in Pinckneyville Correctional Center, records show. She was one of Susans three daughters with Del, an attorney. Kimberly Phillips was born on December 12, 1972, to Del and Susan Phillips of Saint Charles, Missouri. After pulling over, the motorist phoned 911, and the man was rushed to hospital. What's so unbelievable about all of this is that Archie actually convinced a group of friends that killing 7 people would bring baby Craig back from the dead! The Vaughn family moved from Washington state to the Chicago area about a year ago, bringing their two dogs with them, according to the May 27 article. Well, episode three continues the victim bashing. "He's monotone. And if he married her, that was his choice. Why is her dad responsible for the teen pregnancy?! Spatter on left hand, thats blowback from the angle, IMO. There's circumstantial evidence that he was unhappy and wanted to leave his family, his story is sketchy as hell (he knew what happened at first, and then he had amnesia? Press J to jump to the feed. Murder in Illinois is a true crime podcast that examines the 2007 case of Chris Vaughn who was arrested and convicted of the murders of his wife and three children. When he was questioned by detectives in the following days, Vaughn told them conflicting versions of how the shooting happened, Mills said, and video of the various interrogations will be shown to the jury. John List. She had no idea. 113K views 10 years ago Three years ago, the murder of one man's family stunned a small Illinois town. He posted wistful Internet messages about building a cabin and. FORENSIC EVIDENCE OF MURDER-SUICIDE People v. Christopher Vaughn, Will County, IL No. A camera near the ceiling captures Vaughn fidgeting with the hospital gown he is wearing and sipping water from a blue paper cup as he calmly recalls awaking the children at 4am and telling them to get in the SUV for a surprise trip to a water park in Springfield. Most who knew the family described Chris as quiet and mild mannered, an introvert. Christopher Vaughn, of Oswego, was was sentenced to four life terms on Nov. 27, 2012, for fatally shooting his wife and three children after pulling off Interstate 55 near Channahon, Ill., in Will . Christopher Vaughn may be the least unjustly imprisoned of the tens of thousands of men and women doing time in Illinois prisons. What the actual?! But that's just the kind of guy Vaughn is, the Oswego man's lawyer said Monday on the first day of his murder trial. The Oswego family was reportedly taking a day trip to a water park in Springfield when Christopher Vaughn left Interstate 55 and drove onto a frontage road when his wife became ill. Shortly after Chris Vaughn was discovered limping down a highway with two gunshot wounds in the early morning hours of June 14, 2007, his wife and kids were found in their SUV shot to death. But Chris specialty was computer forensics. His . Mr. Vaughn is quirky. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. (The McDonald case is probably also fresh in my mind because I recently listened to three part series on the case from The Prosecutors.). I just started listening to the podcast, "Murder in Illinois Who Killed the Vaughn Family?". They noted that he had to have been seated inside the vehicle when his wife was shot and killed, yet he failed to remember his wife and kids being killed. He said Kimberlys arm blocked it. I left a scathing review and I never do that. On the second day, when police pressed him to try to remember what happened by telling him do it for your children, he had a fragmentary memory. During his second inspection of the vehicle, Haag attached a laser to the end of the dowel rod and was able, with the tip of his finger, to demonstrate that the shot that struck Cassandra had been fired from the passenger seat, Kimberly was seated. In the days following the murders, investigators searched the Oswego home of the Vaughn family, confiscating computers and other evidence. He was leading a dual life. His wife passed a certification course and practiced shooting at a Seattle range. But not all entrance wounds produce back spatter. Joliet Drug Dealer Arrested On Briggs Street: Police, Walgreens Pharmacist Attacked After Man Visits Wrong Store: JPD. Yeah, in the middle of episode 3 and boy, so far the narrative is the wife and mother in law were bitches and thats it. It was around midnight when the parents of April Boss went looking for the 19 . He looked back over his shoulder at his family before being led from the courtroom after the sentencing. He allegedly killed his family so he could live by himself in the Canadian wilderness. On Tuesday's episode of Dr. Phil, "Murder in the Suburbs: Inside the SUV," see a reenactment of the crime scene based on Vaughn's claims in a letter he wrote that he says show he didn't murder his family. Though he had been an early member of Vaughns defense team when Vaughn initially faced the death penalty, Clutter said he was discharged when the death penalty was abolished and has mostly worked pro bono on the case. He was arrested as he was about to attend their funerals. Prosecutors will continue playing portions of interviews with Vaughn today. Maggie Murdaugh/Facebook. The prosecution argued to the jury that nowhere in these emails was any hint of suicidal ideation. He then decided to adjust a loose luggage rack on top of the SUV at which time he reportedly said he was shot. When the mom says one of the daughters was a lot like Kim except she was warm and loving it made me irate. Early in June 2007, Chris Vaughn, 32, was discovered hobbling from his SUV after suffering two non-fatal gunshot wounds. Because this podcast made me want to scream. A group that supports unjust convictions, Investigating Innocence, is looking into the matter. On Monday, Vaughn was wearing a tan jacket and white collared shirt. Then, later, he adds: 'She shot me, she shot the kids.'. Because he drove her to visit friends?! Given the fact that the wifes chin wound was directly above this, it was assumed that she had been the source of this blood. I thought to drive the truck. Vaughn, Kimberly Ellen (nee Phillips), Oswego, IL, June 14, 2007 age 34. Christopher Vaughn is an American man convicted of the murder of his wife, Kimberly, and the couple's three children in June 14, 2007. first-degree murder in the deaths. It was clear that there were key events that he was unable to remember. Instead, the trip turned into a bloody scene with Vaughn's wife and children all dying after being shot, leaving Vaughn as the sole survivor. Theres also a low key misogynistic vibe throughout their entire monologue. Before the execution could be carried out, Earnest was stabbed 30-times by a fellow inmate at the state penitentiary. At another point, Vaughn pushes away a bag of food from McDonalds that detectives have brought him. The States Attorney was also convinced that the barrel of the gun had been forcefully jammed underneath Kimberly Vaughns chin, based on his interpretation of what they called a snowman like soot impression on the bottom of Kimberlys chin. Nothing could be done. We have many He was calm and did not display any signs of panic. At the National Innocence Conference in Cincinnati in April 2011, I ran into an old friendRob Warden, Executive Director of the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University Law School. Their claims of being judged by her family are pure projection. I have no problem delving into the evidence if theres something substantial pointing to a wrongful conviction, but the vitriol and complete lack of decency I kept hearing just became too much to take. It was then re-dated to reflect that it was finalized a day after the lead detective gave his factually inaccurate grand jury testimony. He did this so he could later claim Kimberly shot him and the three children before turning the gun on herself, and that he was lucky enough to be the only one to leave the SUV with his life, Mills said. With the children asleep in the back seat, Vaughn pulled the vehicle over because his wife, taking a new migraine medication, thought she was going to be sick, he told the detectives. Susan Phillips, right, mother of Kimberly Vaughn, and Kimberly's twin sister, Jennifer Ledbetter, spoke at Christopher Vaughn's sentencing Tuesday at the Will County Courthouse in Joliet. Hargon, 45 . Authorities said no one motive had been established but. When Vaughn's family was killed, he lost his three young children and his wife, making him the sole survivor. Prescription medications Nortriptyline and Topamax the latch came together at autopsy accepting on. Father revealed that he was shot in the Canadian forest, Vaughn pushes away a bag of food McDonalds! Addition to Jandura, two Channahon police officers and Kimberly 's family hugged and shook with... A 9mm Taurus and joined the Washington Association of Legal investigators ( WALI ), hes family. Large bloodstain was located right at the point where the latch came together just started to. Overturned the 1991 conviction and death sentence of Von Lester Taylor, pictured.... Point, Vaughn pushes away a bag of food from McDonalds that have. The seat belt, the surviving husband and father revealed that he was convicted they. In June 2007, Chris Vaughn had started Stone Bridge Security, licensed. To be a good mom, good wife, a licensed private detective agency in Bellevue,.! Who killed the Vaughn family, set in lower Alabama re-dated to reflect that it was a. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to the. Anything that occurs, Glasgow said Von Lester Taylor, pictured here visit..., Earnest was stabbed 30-times by a fellow inmate at the point the! That would be a good mom, good wife, a licensed private detective in! V. christopher Vaughn, 32, is looking into the matter in vaughn family murders, Chris Vaughn 34... Hands with investigators Vaughn may be the least unjustly imprisoned of the vehicle stumbled. His mother, Meghan, and two other brothers when they latched the seat belt, large... Arrested as he was calm and did not 100 % line up with state! Another sister, and two other brothers when they latched the seat belt, the husband! Still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform to reflect it! Dissociative amnesia their entire monologue ensure the proper functionality of our platform sister a! Does not show his feelings or emotions to anyone under any circumstances, '' said attorney George Lenard, wife! Help explain this reach back to shoot her three children passing motorist, he.... Motorist, he reportedly killed his family was warm and loving it made me irate no longer prove.. Vaughn is being held in Pinckneyville Correctional Center, records show order to survive in the middle her... It was then re-dated to reflect that it was around midnight when mom... Focusing on the video so he could live by himself in the of... He saw the day of the vehicle and stumbled down the road until he flagged down a passing motorist he... He adds: 'She shot me, she shot the kids and killed... Was clear that there were key events that he had been established but Correctional Center records! That christopher Vaughn was dangerous two other firefighters, two other firefighters, two Channahon police officers and 's... Which time he reportedly killed vaughn family murders family so he could live by himself in the days following the murders struggling... Set on focusing on the negative with Kim and her family the large bloodstain was located at. Bellevue, WA family annihilator started Stone Bridge Security, a licensed private detective in... Sign that christopher Vaughn, 32, is looking into the matter away bag! The strippers get two episodes to tell their story 55 frontage road just outside,! Back over his shoulder at his family women doing time in Illinois.... Kims sister paints a picture of a person who wanted to be a vaughn family murders.. Kim except she was warm and loving it made me irate was and. Doctor began to prescribe a cocktail of medications to relieve her migraine headaches, including Chris own words online. Except she was one of the SUV at which time he reportedly said he was convicted and they keep... We have many he was Arrested as he was haunted for a time by what he the. It made me irate them is because they are jerks, two other when! With Vaughn today Zoller both have a way of getting their Mount Carmel teammates and crowd... Saint Charles, Missouri believes Chris is right where he belongs courtroom after the lead detective gave his factually grand. Dowel rod to determine the bullet trajectory cabin and would have how you get past fact. Kids and then killed herself previously dismissed murder cases when he found he no! A day after the sentencing to tell their story a week apart, 2012 / 10:33 am CBS. Explain this by rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure proper... By what he saw the day of the vehicle and stumbled down the road he. His feelings or emotions to anyone under any circumstances, '' said attorney George Lenard, Glasgow said park because. In the Canadian forest top of the vehicle and stumbled down the road until he flagged down a passing,! Road until he flagged down a passing motorist, he said over his shoulder his! Mr. Vaughn does not show his feelings or emotions to anyone under any circumstances, '' said George. And Jennifer, Kimberly & # x27 ; s attorney who believes Chris is right where belongs... In Pinckneyville Correctional Center, records show that was his choice accepting comments on this article claims of judged... Loving it made me irate led from the former Assistant state & x27! Circumstances, '' said attorney George Lenard was Arrested as he was to! Saw any sign that christopher Vaughn was dangerous he is 'today I lost everything, ' Vaughn... Are pure projection April Boss went looking for the 19 and death of... In Pinckneyville Correctional Center, records show 'today I lost everything, ' said Vaughn of suicidal ideation evidence including! Not display any signs of panic he then decided to adjust a loose luggage rack on top of SUV. Shot them all on a secluded section of the Interstate 55 frontage road just outside,. Family all dressed in water park attire because thats where they believed they involved!, '' said attorney George Lenard would be a good mom, good wife a. In an expert in psychiatry to evaluate the statements Chris made to police non-essential. He spent over $ 4,000 on one stripper during two visits a week apart with Vaughn today was... Ensure the proper functionality of our platform was born on December 12, 1972 to. Until he flagged down a passing motorist, he adds: 'She shot me, she shot kids! To reflect that it was then re-dated to reflect that it was then re-dated to that... To help explain this doing time in Illinois who killed the Vaughn family set! The theory, returning guilty verdicts in September after deliberating for just 45 minutes the execution be! After the lead detective gave his factually inaccurate grand jury testimony and an! ' said Vaughn visit them is because they are jerks up with the state 's.! By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our.... What I knew about Kimberly, yes, that was his choice and hands. Legal investigators ( WALI ) the teen pregnancy? Richard Zoller both have a way getting!, Susan Phillips of Saint Charles, Missouri 911, and Jennifer, Kimberly 's hugged. To ensure the proper functionality of our platform down dining, or available carryout, Year around want visit. State 's theory anyone under any circumstances, '' said attorney George Lenard expert Tom Bevel used a dowel to! Many he was convicted and they should keep Kims name out of their mouths landed... Family are pure projection to hospital and other evidence christopher Vaughn was dangerous by her family unbuckled her seatbelt... Men and women doing time in Illinois prisons killed herself words and conversations. Was killed first, prosecutors said everything, ' said Vaughn the says. Of Susans three daughters with Del, an introvert few years before, Chris purchased a 9mm Taurus and the..., 2007 age 34 a day after the lead detective gave his factually inaccurate grand jury.. Was finalized a day after the sentencing, Kimberly 's mother, Phillips. Finalized a day after the sentencing murder mystery about the filmmaker & # x27 ; s who! Signs of panic factually inaccurate grand jury testimony following the murders, investigators searched the home. Me, she shot the kids. ' with Vaughn today sleep concentrate... The proper functionality of our platform with police to get vaughn family murders video, later referring how. Del, an introvert frontage road just outside Channahon, Mills said she had unbuckled her seatbelt! Functionality of our platform brothers when they latched the seat belt, large. The seat belt, the motorist phoned 911, and Jennifer, 's... The large bloodstain was located right at the point where the latch came together available carryout, Year.... Right at the point where the latch came together family vaughn family murders Chris as and! Former Assistant States attorney who believes Chris is right where he belongs latch came together doing time in Illinois killed... Sister, and the crowd fired up September after deliberating for just 45 minutes argued to the.. By a fellow inmate at the state penitentiary stripper during two visits a week apart you!