343. Dardeen Family Massacre

Our True Crime Podcast

Jan 21, 2026•56 min

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Episode description

In the quiet, unassuming town of Ina, Illinois—where life moved slowly and danger felt distant—Keith and Elaine Dardeen were building a modest, faith-centered future with their young son, Peter, and a baby on the way. Their trailer sat tucked into the woods near the highway, close enough to hear passing traffic yet isolated enough to disappear into the darkness. When Keith failed to report for his night shift on November 18, 1987, concern quickly turned to dread as calls to the home went unanswered. What investigators would soon discover was beyond comprehension: the entire family had been brutally massacred.

Join Jen and Cam on this episode of Our True Crime Podcast entitled ‘Dardeen Family Massacre.’

Listener discretion is by @octoberpodVHS

Music by our EP @theinkypawprint

Sources:

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/141094349/

https://books.google.com/books?id=PEDSSsFlDOcC&pg=PA46

http://www.nwherald.com/2014/04/12/unsolved-1987-slaying-of-illinois-family-haunting/auj00b/

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/columns/pat-gauen/gauen-gruesome-illinois-mystery-appears-to-end-with-texas-execution/article_b5a3da6c-c649-5725-8a7e-23f96873f514.html

http://www.14news.com/story/7372700/unsolved-murder-still-haunts-tri-state-family-two-decades-later

https://thesouthern.com/news/article_51b2456d-80ff-5def-9511-6292e669c94e.html

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2000/03/13/13-year-vigil-of-fear-eases-in-illinois-town/

https://www.firstalert4.com/2022/01/21/gruesome-murder-an-illinois-family-remains-unsolved-main-suspect-is-executed/