Christina Bell, Alaria Bell, Autumn Bell and baby

This family has suffered an unimaginable tragedy. Dec 14th, 2023 Chrissy, Alaria, Autumn, and an unborn baby were tragically shot and killed. The family needs this community and surrounding communities to come together like never before and help them lay these three beautiful souls to rest. I will share the press release of Cass County Sheriff department below.

On December 14, 2023, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies, Ashland Police Department, Beardstown Police Department, and Beardstown EMS were dispatched to 308 Philadelphia Road (Rural) Ashland, IL for a male that had been shot. The assistance of Illinois State Police and Pleasant Plains Police were also requested. Upon arrival Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies and Ashland Police Department located a male with a gunshot wound and a deceased female at the residence. Deputies rendered medical aid to the male victim until EMS arrived. Based on information given by the male victim the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland Police, Beardstown Police responded to a residence in Ashland, IL and located two additional female victims deceased. A preliminary investigation identified a suspect and suspect vehicle. A short time later Jacksonville Police Department located the suspect vehicle near North Main and Oak Street in Jacksonville and conducted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle. The suspect was located inside the vehicle with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The male suspect was pronounced deceased on-scene by the Morgan County Coroner’s Office. The surviving male victim was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. The investigation is still active and on-going. Illinois State Police Zone 4 Investigations, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Division, Illinois State Police Patrol, Ashland Police Department, Beardstown Police Department, Pleasant Plains Police Department, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, and Menard County Sheriff’s Office were the police agencies involved in the case. Please keep the families and communities involved in these horrific events in your thoughts and prayers. Additional information will be released this afternoon.

Please find it in your heart to help the family at this terrible time. So many are affected by this tragedy and we appreciate the support. $10,000 is just a start it will take much more to lay them to rest.