Update: Vaughn family murders *4 found dead in SUV*

June 15, 2007 — mylifeofcrime

kimberly-ellen-vaughn.jpgbigayle-elizabeth-vaughn.jpgcassandr-ellen-vaughn.jpgblake-philip-vaughn.jpg

Police Search For Answers In Killing Of Family
Report: Man Says Wife Fired Shots Killing Family
Police: Shot Man Whose Family Was Killed in SUV Not a Suspect
Father leaves police station
Police: Wounded father not a suspect in family’s killings

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Posted in 2007, Family murder, Family/Domestic Violence, Illinois, familicide, high profile, homicide, murder, murder in the 21st Century, shooting. 81 Comments »

81 Responses to “Update: Vaughn family murders *4 found dead in SUV*”

  1. Melissa Says:
    June 15, 2007 at 9:16 am

    Does anyone believe that the wife did this?

  2. The Most Amazing Family Center Online » ‘All right, I have a job for you,’ said I Says:
    June 15, 2007 at 10:53 am

    [...] Update: Vaughn <b>family</b> murders *4 found dead in SUV* [...]

  4. mylifeofcrime Says:
    June 15, 2007 at 12:23 pm

    Melissa,
    I am having a very hard time believing that. I watched Nancy Grace last night and alot of those interviewed felt the same way. The father is the one who was driving and pulled off to the little road. Now, if it was her, don’t you think he would have put up a fight before allowing her to shoot the children? Even with a gunshot to the thigh? Or is he, umm, how shall I say this, a wienie to just sit there while his wife shoots the kids and herself? Does not sound right to me. That is my opinion. But from what I have read, the police have not yet stated what they believe happened. So, hopefully the real truth will come out.

  5. Melissa Says:
    June 15, 2007 at 12:42 pm

    Do you remember that story a long time ago..I know there was a Lifetime movie made about it…where the husband shot his wife and killed her and then shot himself in the arm or something to make it look like someone else did it. I think this could be the same type of thing. I too find it very hard to believe that he would let her kill his children without at least putting up a fight. Also, he was shot in thigh, but he told police he ran away. I doubt it.

  6. Jody Says:
    June 16, 2007 at 7:25 am

    I don’t believe she was the shooter. There have been too many neighbors and people who knew her come forward saying how protective she was of the children, and how loving she was. Almost nothing is being said about the father.

    It just doesn’t make sense that a father would run away from a wife who has just freaked out and shot him. Wouldn’t he be worried about his children? I would be taking the children with me if I felt they were in any danger. Even shot, and we know whe wasn’t badly injured, I would put myself inbetween her and the kids until my last breath was breathed.

    He had this all planned. The question is why? There had to be some kind of family or financial problems. People are coming forward saying he was doing very well in his business, but when I called the business there was only a voice mail with his name attached. It didn’t even have the name of the company on the voice mail. I just have a feeling that this guy got in over his head with the new house and the business wasn’t doing very well. All the pressure and he snapped.

    Very sad to lose such a beautiful family.

  7. Dawn Says:
    June 16, 2007 at 9:16 am

    He killed them and tried to make it look like she did it and then killed herself by the one bullet in the head. The people interviewed say they had a great marriage, but nobody knows what the reality is unless you live with them. I’m sure more things will continue to come out about him and possibly affairs, indebtedness, whatever, but there is something very wrong with this scenario and his explanation for it. He can say whatever he wants, all the witnesses are dead.

  8. Ricki Says:
    June 16, 2007 at 10:10 am

    Way more to this story. Someone wanted out of marriage. It is 0230 in the morning, the children were most likely sleeping when the parents were talking (arguing) about something and then stopped the SUV. Who has a handgun in the car with 3 children traveling inside? It might not be but, sounds planned no matter who did it. No one just starts shooting without explanation. What usually causes this is a break up/affair etc…

  9. Heather Says:
    June 16, 2007 at 11:00 am

    I know this family personally and am very confused by it all. I have to say in response that there should be as much good stuff published about Chris and there is of Kim. They are both equally good people and CHris, like Kim, would do anything for his family. He was very involved in their lives including volunteering for roles in activities his kids were involved in. It is always the first instinct to assume the father and husband, but in this case the chances of either of them being guilty is almost imaginable. It is impossible for me to imagine either of them doing this. BOTH of them were upstanding people without any indication of marital probs.

  10. Pam Says:
    June 16, 2007 at 5:32 pm

    Smells like the Charles Stuart case in Boston in l989!!
    He staged a robbery and shooting after leaving a birthing
    class with his wife Carol. She died and the baby died
    17 days later. He shot himself a little too seriously in the
    abdomen (poor guy) and had to have two surgeries and
    a six week hospital stay!! He was a true sociopath!
    His number was up when his brother who was involved
    in the scheme went to the police. Then poor Charles jumped off a bridge and committed suicide! Although the
    Vaughn family looked great to the outside world nobody really knows what goes on behind closed doors.

  11. mae Says:
    June 16, 2007 at 9:17 pm

    I , too have difficulty trying to understand why this man pulled into a hidden area to adjust the luggage. How do we not know that is where the gun was and he got it out of the luggage?It would seem, as someone else already mentioned, no matter which parent was the shooter, wouldn’t the other one defend the children til she/he took their last breath. Also, as stated why would he go for help if she shot him and children were still alive and return to find them all dead? Why would he leave them with her if that was the case? Why didn’t he try to get the gun away from her? Maybe she was sitting in the car asleep with the children when he pulled off, got out, got the gun and surprised all of them. Maybe she struggled with him and that is how he got shot in the thigh. I just cannot stop thinking of this case right along with the Lisa Stecic case. The stories are just not right at all, especially to any woman who has lived wiht a smooth-operating abuser. It most often does look like an ideal life on the outside.

  12. Amy Says:
    June 16, 2007 at 10:22 pm

    Did the police test him or his clothing for GSR (gun shot residue)? That would definitely be something they should have done if they did not. The wife should have also been tested for presences of GSR. If he test negative and she test postive then that will prove that he is telling the truth and vice versa. But if they both tested postive on their hands then that could be hard to find out who actually pulled the trigger.

  13. Frank Says:
    June 16, 2007 at 10:49 pm

    Ok lets really think this through. Powder burns would show up on his hands, he would have to ditch a glove to cover it up if he did it, innocent right? Nope. The children were shot multiple times but not him. Why? Because a waiting accomplice executed her suicide style, then shot the children, then put gun in her hands, shot them again, and then shot the dad in the leg. The guys a private investigator to boot.

  14. bill mcfadden Says:
    June 17, 2007 at 11:15 am

    Figure it out. He shot the wife first. Kids start screaming and tells them he will shoot them if they move (child locks on doors). Then he goes around to the passenger side puts then gun in the wife’s dead hand and squeezes off the trigger on the three kids and lastly sits back down in the suv and holds her hand again shoots himself in the thigh and guess who’s hands show residue now? The gun falls out of her hand on the floor and is left there.

  15. Margie Says:
    June 17, 2007 at 12:52 pm

    I live near where this happened. I was at a friend’s home last night and meant to take rt. 6 to I-55 because I didn’t want to go by the scene because the frontage road is right there off of Bluff Road and the cell tower is real close — too close for comfort when you are driving by yourself and grandson and get spooked easily. Well, habits are hard to break and I ended up taking Bluff Road to I-55. The cell tower is right there. I’m not good at estimating feet, but it has to be 500 feet south of Bluff Road maybe a bit more. Let me tell you — it was dark — real dark — pitch black dark. Sure I went by around 11 pm, but I read somewhere that someone heard gun shots at 2:30 a.m. Well, it would be real dark at 2:30 a.m. as well. Nobody pulls off on to a dark road and then to a service road surrounded by trees blocking any possible light from the highway to fix straps on the overhead compartment unless foul play was involved on his part. He just passed Rt. 6 where there are three 24 hour gas stations and lots of light to see to adjust the straps. Why didn’t he just pull over on the shoulder of I-55 where there is plenty of light on the highway and barely any traffic unless he had a plan? I read sociopath written all over him. Use your common sense. This doesn’t make sense — red flag.

  16. KC Says:
    June 17, 2007 at 7:37 pm

    The one thing I can’t get past is the father running away from the shooting. If she was the shooter, and he was sitting next to her in the drivers seat, why not shoot him in the head? Why was there “overkill” of the children and he flees the scene with a leg wound? My husband & I were talking about this and he told me “No offense hon, but I’d probably try to beat you in the face with one fist/arm while trying to control the gun hand with my free hand, anything to get you to stop shooting, I’d also scream at the kids to get out while I was trying to beat the hell out of you.” He said he could never run away and leave the kids in the van with a crazy person with a gun. Why the change in travel plans? According to Kim’s mother, the husband had arranged for that to be a romantic getaway for just the two of them, Kim had been talking about it and making plans all week. It was a surprise to Kim’s mom when she heard that he had told police the family was going to a waterpark that weekend. There is something really wrong about this whole thing. What a horrific tragedy for their friends and family, I hope they find strength and hope during their despair and heartache.

  17. mae Says:
    June 17, 2007 at 7:39 pm

    FRank,
    I am sure he could have washed his hands if they did have residue on them.I have a problem, as does Margie, with why he pulled off into a hidden area to adjust the luggage. Maybe , as I mentioned earlier that is where the gun was–in the luggae rack. Why would anyone be bringing one to a day outing at a water park anyway?This whole story smells, don’t you think? Anyone familiar with this area , I think finds it strange one would pull up into a secluded area for the reason stated.He had all the info he could possibly need to pull something like this off and if a passer-by would not have come by, perhaps no one would have found the family for days.Any parent would have fought til the end to save their children. If he was so scared after she supposedly shot him, why would you leave the children there with her and a gun? Accoeding to him they were all alive when he went for help and when he returned they were dead. Just too weird.

  18. Frank Says:
    June 17, 2007 at 8:01 pm

    Mae

    I agree. too many inconsistencies and yes as a parent fight to the death for children AND wife if you’re truly happy. I think they found residue on her hands. They would have to if they were to believe she did the shooting

  19. Tom Says:
    June 18, 2007 at 9:48 am

    it was reported by neighbors (less than one/half mile) from the cell tower heard a series of gunshots (pop,pop,pop’s); then claimed a few minutes when by and another shot was heard. What would have occured to support these impressions? It seems to me this was clearly premeditated by the father, and that final shot was the most difficult to stage. The shot from the mother into his leg. What I do not want to believe is one of the kids may not have been killed by the initial barrage and he finished one off with that delayed gunshot heard by the neighbor. This guy is ‘dirty.’ It may take some time to detail splatter and trajectory, but this father is a coward.

  20. rachael Says:
    June 18, 2007 at 11:22 am

    The father knows forensics and is a private investigator. He could have pulled it off to make it look like she did it ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ even though nothing makes any sense. He very well could have had an accomplis. Why did he run off, I’m sure he heard the gun fire multiple times if that were the case and he would just do nothing! Whether he pulled the trigger or not he should go to jail for life for not fighting for the lives of his children. What man/father would not do something? A sick-o, that’s who!

    He is a murder/liar just like Lisa Stebic’s husband. If neither one of them ever get caught by the law you can rest assured that they will both burn in hell for all of eternity.

  21. SHAUNCEY JENKINS Says:
    June 18, 2007 at 11:23 am

    Ok, here goes. Husband comes to the conclusion he no longer wants a wife and kids. Husband plans to get rid of wife and kids. Husband plans trip with murder on his mind. Only thing, his story makes no sense. Heather, rant and rave all you want about them being the perfect family and the husband could never do this, but we don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. How many times has this happened and the neighbors and friends have said “they were such a perfect couple, i never would’ve suspected”. Come to find out, the husband is having an affair, or their having financial problems, or the husbands secretly gay, etc… I believe the husband commited this terrible crime. I believe it was the husbands idea to pull over on this isolated part of the road, and play out this sick scenerio of murder. I think if the wife wanted to kill him, she would’ve aimed alot lower than his thigh. My gut feelings are usually right. I pray to God that he doesn’t get away with this. May God bless this woman and her beautiful kids who were murdered for no reason. This is an outrage.

  22. Ludovic Says:
    June 18, 2007 at 11:27 am

    This is a tragedy beyond both understanding and comphrension for most human beings. Like most of the people who have left comments here, my opinion also is that the father is the murderer, not the mother. I live in Oregon and I do not know anything about this family other than what I’ve read in the paper and heard on the news. And from that limited amount of information…my “guess” is that it was over finances. He was the only one working and they had 2 mortgages totalling $417,000 on their home…and that does not include any other bills they may have had in addition to their ongoing monthly living expenses. My guess is that he snapped. In his mind, he would rather see his family dead than for them to know that he was a failure as a provider….which he obviously wasn’t. But if they were in over their heads, he may have thought that he was. Most of us would just be happy to keep the family together, downsize, share in the common experience of tightening the belt, re-group and hope to some day regain their affluent upper middle class lifestyle. But obviously others do not share that same view. This reminds me of the Fisk Murders in New Jersey back in the 70’s when the family was living beyond their means and the father kills his mother, wife and 3 or 4 children and vanishes for 20 something years until he was profiled on America’s Most Wanted and caught. There are so many victims here, in addition to the murdered wife and children. Her parents, sibilings, the children’s friends, and Christopher Vaughn’s family. His own unsuspecting parents arrived to baby sit the kids the morning they were murdered…having driven up from Missouri. There is no excusing or explaining the thought process that lead up to this…but whoever pulled the trigger…obviously had some disturbed thought patterns going on which they were unable to sort out, understand or control.

  23. kim Says:
    June 18, 2007 at 11:36 am

    Someone needs to put multiple gun shots in the father ‘without letting him die’ just so he can feel some of the pain that he put his family through in the last moments.

    Or better yet, drop ship him in Baghdad with a decimated Kurnat and let Al Queda rip him apart.

  24. veronica Says:
    June 18, 2007 at 11:58 am

    i am in florida and cant belive this story from the second it happend that night. i have been trying to find info/status on this tradegdy and finally i found this website. i feel comforted to find that others are as dumbfounded by this tragedy and have taken comfort. i hope the police solve this quick because its just far too frustrating to think that the “father”/ “killer”/ “coward” is thinking he is really pulling a fast one. its really depressing when these self fish, power hungry, men snap and then snap on the wrong people. He shouldve killed himself and nobody would have cared- the way it should have been. its revolting just like the laci peterson tragedy. i hope this bring justice for this mother and her children.

  25. rachal Says:
    June 18, 2007 at 12:11 pm

    When I talk to people who still think it’s possible that the mother did this, I just want to slap them. How naive can you be? I just got into it with a girl I work with who thinks the father is innocent.

    I live work right down the street from where the murders took place and there is no way someone would pull off the highway to this location in the pitch dark to fix a falling luggage rack in the middle of the night. There are several lighted gas stations that he could have pulled into. Actually he would have to had pulled off at a lighted exit and passed the gas station in order to go down the dark frontage road to the place where the vehicle was found. If he really wanted help why did he wait until morning to flag someone down to help? He could have walked to the gas station (or hobbled) that he so plainly passed up. This entire ordeal makes my blood boil and makes me so sad for all the family members that have to endure the pain and the loss.

  26. Brian Says:
    June 18, 2007 at 12:45 pm

    In addition to believing the father is guilty of these murders, I am also outraged that the police saw fit to LET HIM GO! What kind of society are we living in where someone who is clearly a “suspect” (at the very least) is allowed to leave the police station within 24 hours of a brutal crime? Are they hoping to follow his every move until he gives them more evidence? Anyone with half a brain knows he did it.

    And as others have mentioned, even if his story were true (which it can’t be), there should be some law against leaving your kids in the presence of a crazed person with a gun. I am sickened by the way law enforcement is handling this. The guy should be locked up!

  27. Doug Says:
    June 18, 2007 at 1:04 pm

    UNFORTUNATELY, our laws are such that they didn’t have enough to hold him after questioning even with his motives for leaving the scene being completely ridiculous or being in that location extremely questionable. But, like Brian, I believe he should be in jail for leaving his children with a crazed person and a gun and that there should be a law against it. He is not a celebrity like OJ so hopefully he will be caught and sentenced to the fullest extreme.

  28. Shauncey Jenkins Says:
    June 18, 2007 at 4:39 pm

    Brian,
    I totally agree with you. How can the police let this man go?? Next thing you know, he’ll be on “America’s Most Wanted” as a fugutive. Unbelieveable!!

  29. Mike Says:
    June 18, 2007 at 4:52 pm

    I believe that there is more to this story than any of us knows and that the police rightly released the father. Say what you want, but as a father, I ask why is the mother not just as capable of committing this act? Yes, I realize it’s hard for us to comprehend this, but it’s equally possible for the father or the mother. Also not stated, what if the children were already shot when the husband was shot – wouldn’t he be justified in running?

  30. Shauncey Jenkins Says:
    June 18, 2007 at 5:07 pm

    Mike,
    Come ooonnnnn dude? The mother IS just as capable. But listen to the story the father told. If it doesn’t add up man, it just doesn’t add up. Don’t take offense because your a father. I doubt the mother would’ve had her children out at 2 am in the morning if it wasn’t the husbands suggestion. Thats the only reason I would go, because I know my husband will protect me and my kids. She felt safe with him, and that trust cost her and her children their lives. How sad.

  31. mae Says:
    June 18, 2007 at 9:15 pm

    Mike,
    According to the reports I have read when he left for help the wife and kids had not been shot he said. So, why would he not have at least struggled to get the gun away or stayed to protect children? A parent protects their children to the point of giving their life.Why were they all supposedly still seat belted in? Yes, their are moms who go beserk and murder their children, however, this story just doesn’t fit. I heard on the t.v. tonight that he persuaded her just recenlty to go to a rifle range with him, which she did so very reluctantly. Could it have been part of his plan to prove she knew how to shoot. Maybe he was not even going for help, but when leaving the scene the passer-by saw him and offered help and he had to think quick. Maybe he had called someone to pick him up or had planned on shooting himself and couldn’t. I know people who live in that area and they say the same thing–why would you pull about 500 feet off the road that is very hidden and surrounded by trees to adjust your luggage? Once again, perhaps the children and wife were sleeping at the time and his reason for getting out was because he got the gun out of the luggage.One cannot convince me that if she were not seat belted in and there was and was going to intentionally shoot him, it would not have been in the thigh.I highly doubt that is what happened and I pray the truth comes out.But, then again the victims cannot speak. God knows the truth.

  32. Tom Says:
    June 18, 2007 at 9:29 pm

    What is being said about the consistency of timeline? Time delay between shots being heard?

  33. KIMBER Says:
    June 19, 2007 at 8:31 am

    It’s hard to bleieve that we live in a world where this happens, but in fact it could happen anywhere at any time.
    I live in Ohio and there is a Canton woman who is missing that is 9 months pregnant, and it all points to who else but the boyfirend! Everything points to the husband, lets face it no one in there right mind would leave there childern alone in the dark to face possible death, unless they were the one responsible for this horrible act of volience. The police officers were correct in letting him go, they are probably hoping he will hang himself………alot like all of the others before him.
    The angels have his childern now and they will find peace.

  34. SHAUNCEY JENKINS Says:
    June 19, 2007 at 10:27 am

    Mae,
    Everything you said made alot of sense. You are absolutely right. The victims cannot speak anymore. But now, we are their voices. It’s people like us who take the time to care about whats going on in the world, and maybe thru this blog we can say or think of something that the police haven’t thought of. Not saying that the police aren’t smart, but a whole lot of opinions are good, especially if it’s an opinion they haven’t heard. To Kimber: I just saw the beautiful pregnant young woman you are speaking of last night on Nancy Grace. I think by leaving their child alive, it shows that the ex is guilty. Had it of been a random act, the kidnappers/killers surely would of killed her beautiful baby boy. Why leave him alive?? A random person would not of bothered to spare his life. Her family says her routine was broken. I believe them because they know her best. I hope they find this woman who is due to give birth any minute. They said her ex-husband is married. Make sure your looking at his wife too. Anyone close to him is a suspect until they find her safe. Nancy Grace said that she was pregnant with his child, but he is married to another woman. Can you say JEALOUS?

  35. Dana Says:
    June 19, 2007 at 12:01 pm

    I think that the investigators are waiting for all of the forensic evidence to come back before anyone more is said regarding this case. If there is going to be a trial they want to make sure they have all of their ducks in a row.
    I live very near the scene of this horrific crime. I pray that justice will be served. I think we should all reserve judgement until charges (if any) are brought.

  36. Dana Says:
    June 19, 2007 at 12:04 pm

    I think that the investigators are waiting for all of the forensic evidence to come back before anything more is said regarding this case. If there is going to be a trial they want to make sure they have all of their ducks in a row.
    I live very near the scene of this horrific crime. I pray that justice will be served. I think we should all reserve judgement until charges (if any) are brought.

  37. caroline Says:
    June 19, 2007 at 12:34 pm

    I think Dana has this one right.

  38. Miguel Says:
    June 19, 2007 at 9:19 pm

    The latest is that the father is nowhere to be found. Do you think it’s guilt or that he’s distraught?

  39. Brian Says:
    June 20, 2007 at 5:59 am

    Apparently he left the state — he’s in Missouri right now.

  40. SHAUNCEY JENKINS Says:
    June 20, 2007 at 8:52 am

    Dana,
    This blog is for people to express their opinions and feelings regarding crimes that are taking place in this world. So for you to tell us to “reserve all judgement until charges are brought” is pointless. Charges were never brought aganist O.J Simpson, and I judge him to be guilty as hell. Sometimes, charges are never brought aganist guilty parties due to lack of evidence. That does not mean they are innocent.

  41. kENNIE Says:
    June 20, 2007 at 11:29 am

    Neither Christopher or Kim shot the children; Christopher arranged for another person to be at that site at that time by the tower, and when he exited the vehicle, his accomplice took over and shot the children. Kim was forced into and aided in shooting herself, and Chris was given a superficial wound. There will be no gunshot residue on Chris because he did none of the shooting; Kim wil have a lot of residue. Good plan Chris, but you still have to explain why you decided to take your family away so early in the morning, and why you didn’t help your children by using a cell phone to call police earlier. Not a well thought out execution plan.

  42. mylifeofcrime Says:
    June 20, 2007 at 12:36 pm

    kENNIE,

    Where did you get this info? Or is it your opinion?

  43. Shauncey Jenkins Says:
    June 20, 2007 at 1:07 pm

    Kennie,
    You are a person with good sense. They did say the dad was some kind of forsenic freak. He knows exactly what to do NOT to get caugt. But your right, not a well thought out plan. My 7 year old nephew could’ve planned it better. It seems he was on the border of desperation, judging by his actions and his “fool proof plan”. You’d make a dam good cop.

  44. DTM17 Says:
    June 20, 2007 at 2:00 pm

    WOW – Charges were never brought agains OJ Simpson? HMM then whose trial was it that America watched for months back in 1994? LOL – put down the bong Shauncey.

  45. Melissa Says:
    June 20, 2007 at 2:10 pm

    Too funny DTM17!

  46. bec Says:
    June 20, 2007 at 2:14 pm

    It was a hired hit..no other explaination.

    cops know something and media is gagged.
    Cops already have “egg on face” from Stebic family saga..now this? They are treading water right now HOPING forensic evidence will help them bail out of this one!

  47. JaeLyn Says:
    June 20, 2007 at 2:15 pm

    Too much speculation and not enough information from authorities. Truth will win out after the funerals….or at least that is what I think. And “No” I am not privy to any information.

  48. Shauncey Jenkins Says:
    June 20, 2007 at 3:42 pm

    DTM17,
    You know what I meant. The charges didn’t STICK obviously. Didn’t you read the book, “If I did it”?. He’s a murderer and everyone knows it. They just couldn’t prove it. Get the point now? BONG…

  49. Jene' Says:
    June 20, 2007 at 10:22 pm

    He will face God in the end and then he will be judged. I believe the family is happy now and at peace. I feel sorry for this man as God will do justice in the end. God Bless this family. :)

  50. KIMBER Says:
    June 21, 2007 at 7:07 am

    lets hope Ann Rule gets involved, have any of you ever read Dead By Sunset? Most of her books deal with Sociopath’s and that’s probably what you are looking at here. I read on this blog that he has left the state is there any update of that?

  51. blumoon Says:
    June 21, 2007 at 9:59 am

    He admitted to the police during interrogation that he was having a relationship with someone else “on the side”, and he told his wife about the relationship while on the road.
    I think the cops let him go and are saying on all news channels that he is not a suspect to observe him, hoping he’ll make a mistake.
    I live close to where this happened, and yes, this road is very, very dark. Channahon is a small town that is growing but you still see alot of corn fields and forest preserves around these areas.

  52. rachael Says:
    June 21, 2007 at 10:32 am

    Now they are saying the family may have been drugged, that he admitted to having a ‘fling’ and supposedly told his wife on the way there and that there were 2 cell phones available to him to call authorities and he waited until he found someone to flag down! I thought right away that there could have been an accomplis, otherwise the cops could not have let him go so easily after the initial interrogation and finding no real evidence. This guy is as guilty as they come. I hope the investigators do a better job on this case then they did on the Stebic case. Both guys need to get what’s coming to them and I pray they do…

  53. MARY Says:
    June 21, 2007 at 11:13 am

    Of course he did it, he didn’t want his wife to take him for everything . He thought the easy way out is to take out his whole family and pin it on on the wife. Otherwise any normal parent would give their life to protect their child. If she was the offender he would of had more than just a little flesh wound. she could of ran him down and the shot him. Why didn’t he use his cell phone, to give him time to go over his plan i bet. also not to get caught up in any lies on a taped 911 line.

  54. kENNIE Says:
    June 21, 2007 at 11:51 am

    my conclusion about the accomplice waiting for the vehicle at the cell tower is fact, and the clue is a man named Al (not his real name), who will be identified as a resident in Washington where the family used to live. This information will only be released after the funeral because the cops do not want to traumatize the family while they are grieving. This is common procedure.

  55. Char Says:
    June 21, 2007 at 12:25 pm

    On Fox News Channel, Shepard Smith just reported that indeed the Law and Order SVU episode which aired in early May was the source of part of the search of the Vaughn home. The are looking for information that this particular program had been watched or recorded. Also, the computers were taken but I find it hard to believe that an expert in computer protection would have anything on his computers to incriminate him. Of course, if another woman is involved, he isn’t thinking with his brain but with another part of his body.

  56. rachael Says:
    June 21, 2007 at 12:28 pm

    I hope the mistress knows what she has gotten herself into…

  57. rachael Says:
    June 21, 2007 at 12:37 pm

    Yeah, there is no way they will find anything on the home computers unless they can find something from the wife stating the marriage was unhappy and she felt he was being unfaithful. Maybe that is why she was happy that they were getting away for the weekend to try and put her suspicions behind her about the other woman.
    I truly hope he missed a loop hole and gets snagged soon…

  58. Brian Says:
    June 21, 2007 at 12:52 pm

    I don’t see why it matters whether he watched a particular show that may have shown a similar type of murder. That would be the weakest evidence imaginable. How would they even prove he was the one who watched it and not her or the kids? If that is actually what they are looking for, they are either incompetent or trying to confuse everyone.

    I can’t recall this type of secrecy for other cases. It just bugs me that the cops continue to claim that Chris Vaughn is not a suspect. Is it part of their strategy to catch him in an incriminating act? All we keep hearing is that the police are going through forensics and DNA to piece together what happened and come to a conclusion. Well, if they need to go through all that (which is reasonable), how is it possible that they essentially ruled Christopher out as a suspect almost immediately? You can’t have it both ways.

  59. Brian Says:
    June 21, 2007 at 1:01 pm

    In his Tribune blog, Eric Zorn shed some light on why police don’t like to use the term “suspect”:

    What gives? I called Patrick Camden, a veteran Chicago Police Department spokesman, for an explanation of the general practice:

    “We never use that term officially anymore,” Camden explained. “That’s TV-show talk. You’ll know we think someone committed a crime when he’s formally charged with that crime, not before.”

    Camden said responsible police agencies have been very circumspect about what they say on the record about subjects of investigations ever since the Richard Jewell fiasco. Jewell was the hapless security guard whom authorities wrongly trumpted as a suspect in the Centennial Olympic Park bombing at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

    “Why would we ever call someone a suspect (in the media)?” Camden asked rhetorically. “It just raises the bar and make our job harder.”

    Now, Camden said, the preferred term is “person of interest,” a label that can apply to anyone, including clearly innocent witnesses, whom police still want to talk to more for whatever useful information they might provide.

  60. Amy Says:
    June 21, 2007 at 1:07 pm

    Thanks for sharing this info Brian. I can totally understand where they are coming from. I think “person of interest ”
    is a much better label.

  61. rachael Says:
    June 21, 2007 at 1:08 pm

    Yeah, who cares if they watched CIS or even Tivo’d it, what does that prove? It’s probably all the media has to go on right now so they are reaching for something to report.

  62. Shauncey Says:
    June 21, 2007 at 2:29 pm

    Kimber,
    I’ve read almost all of Ann Rule’s true-crime books. Your right. Her books almost take you inside the mind of the killer she is talking about.
    Brian,
    You hit on a good question regarding “suspects”. I guess the cops don’t want to use that term unless they have the “goods” on that person. But I agree, if it walks like a suspect and acts like a suspect, dammit, call it a suspect! “Person of interest” is just a nicer term for “suspect”.

  63. Tom Says:
    June 21, 2007 at 4:13 pm

    it is my position the authorities are gaining swore statements from neighbors of the cell tower on the time, sequence and number of gunshots heard. It was early morning, but like many older folks (like me) we sleep in spurts and they were aware/awake when the mom, two daughters and son were insanely slaughtered. The delay in the final gunshot heard, i submit, was the accomplis or dad taking the time to deliver a fleshwound to make the heinous act seemingly believeable and deflect some of the public sympathy toward him.

  64. Char Says:
    June 21, 2007 at 6:26 pm

    Didn’t get to hear the report, came in to late, but the Vaughn Family murders are discussed a little on CNN’s Nancy Grace towards the end of her program.

  65. mae Says:
    June 21, 2007 at 9:57 pm

    Shauncey,

    Shauncey,
    I totally agree with you. We do absolutely have to be their voice!!!!!!!!!!I just wish those who commit such stuff would not be able to keep getting away with it in this life.I know in the other life they must stan accountable.

    i

  66. Brian Says:
    June 22, 2007 at 7:05 am

    Now the Trib is reporting that he changed his story. Originally he claimed that he didn’t know how he was shot, so he went for help. And in the hospital he asked them if his wife knew:
    “While at the hospital, Vaughn asked whether someone had notified his wife, adding that she gets upset when she doesn’t know where he is, the sources said.”

    Later, he said Kimberly was the one who pulled the trigger.

    If this is true, it is just more infuriating that he was not charged immediately.

  67. Tom Says:
    June 22, 2007 at 9:02 am

    Brian, it is likely narcotic painrelievers were involved in managing his leg wound and what he says under hospital administered narcotics is likely not going to sway authorities.

  68. Jon Says:
    June 22, 2007 at 10:50 pm

    He is guilty. His story just doesn’t make one bit of sense.
    Why did he pull into down very secluded, dark and overgrown service road to adjust…luggage? The reports I read, indicate there were gas stations just up the road.

    I think he had an accomplice to shoot the family, shoot him and make it look like she did it… to collect insurance money… marry another girl and not be burdened by having 3 kids and a wife to deal with.

    The police know he did, they just need more evident to come in. This man is a like a Scott Peterson….He is a nut case. GUILTY! Hang ‘em by the balls!

  69. fight for justice Says:
    June 23, 2007 at 10:26 am

    Well, this just screams how our justice system works. Why haven’t they charged the husband of Lisa Stebic? There was another man who was accused of murdering his wife in Plainfield, not so long ago, and they botched that one too, and he was never charged. Note to murderers: if you kill in Plainfield, Il, good chances are that you’ll get away with it. They incompetent.

    This also, reminds me of a book by Ann Rule, “Small Sacrifices”. This only difference is that a woman, Diane Downs killed her children for a man and blamed a stranger.

    This case really gets to me for some reason. I want to see this man brought to justice!!

  70. Brian Says:
    June 23, 2007 at 10:28 am

    Well, it appears the cops have taken Mr. Vaughn into custody and are going to charge him. It will be interesting to hear them explain what they were waiting for.

  71. fight for justice Says:
    June 23, 2007 at 10:29 am

    Breaking news, they just took the Dad into custody!!!!!!!!!!

  72. Char Says:
    June 23, 2007 at 3:35 pm

    Where have you heard this breaking news? The national news has been honing in on the search for Jessie in Ohio. Would like to have link.

  73. Char Says:
    June 23, 2007 at 3:48 pm

    Found the news on the Chicago CBS 2 news website. Hope to hear more on the national news.

  74. beekeeper Says:
    June 23, 2007 at 5:26 pm

    Unbelieveable. What is it in the human soul that causes such evil.

    I hope the surviving family members eventually can come to grips with their loss, and find some peace. All of us who know some of the surviving family grieve with you.

  75. Shauncey Says:
    June 23, 2007 at 6:26 pm

    I knew the husband commited these murders. And like Jon says, I hope they string him up by his balls! Now maybe their families can begin the healing process. Family: I am grieving with you. God bless.

  76. Pam Says:
    June 24, 2007 at 6:29 pm

    What a completely evil person!!! To be able to kill his
    three beautiful children. Also, to blame his wife who was,
    by all accounts, a completely loving and devoted mother!!
    I hope they make mincemeat out of him in prison!! I do
    feel some compassion for his family, although maybe they
    created the selfish monster he is!!! Heartfelt sympathy to
    Kimberly Vaughan’s family.

  77. caroline Says:
    June 25, 2007 at 6:00 am

    Such a great loss and what for? How could any parent kill their own children?

  78. rainbow81 Says:
    June 25, 2007 at 10:15 am

    I think they should bring back hanging! I know that three states still have it but do not use it. I would pull the rope!

  79. SHAUNCEY Says:
    June 25, 2007 at 10:35 am

    rainbow81,
    I’d race you to be first!!

  80. Amy Says:
    June 25, 2007 at 10:39 am

    Shauncey,
    I would race both of you to be first….

  81. jacqueline Says:
    June 23, 2008 at 9:03 pm

    aww i miss them so much sandi or cassandra was my best friend! i miss her she was so kind and nice and didnt deserve this!:[ ive met the mom and she did not kill them shes nice too the dad on the other hand was never really around much not that id notice…..


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