WILLOW LONG - 7 yo (2013)/ Convicted: Uncle; Justin De Ryke - Watson IL

Willow Long missing since Sunday

10:53 PM, Sep 9, 2013

WATSON, Ill. (KSDK) -A massive search is underway in Effingham County, Ill. for a missing 7-year-old girl.

More than 400 to 500 volunteers have been searching near Willow Long's home in Watson, Ill. in Effingham County using infrared, canines, and ATVs.

During a Monday evening news conference, officials said no civilians will be involved in the search past 8 p.m. Trained emergency responders will be handling the search overnight and Tuesday.

An Illinois State Police FLIR Plane, which detects heat, will be used during the search after 10 p.m., when the ground cools down.

Twenty square miles had been searched as of 5 p.m. Monday.

Police say Willow's mother had a headache and laid down for 60-90 minutes.  When she got up Willow's younger brother, a toddler, pointed at the door.

Police say no foul play is suspected. An Amber Alert has not been issued.

Willow is approximately four feet tall, and has shoulder-length red hair. It was previously reported that she was last seen wearing a long purple shirt, but it was found at her home.

She is not wearing her glasses.

As of 2 p.m. Monday, 18 square miles have been searched, and the search will resume after 5 p.m.

If you have see Willow, or know of her location, please call the Effingham County Sheriff's Department at (217) 342-2101

http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/396829/3/Willow-Long-missing-since-Sunday?sf17028339=1

Search for missing Willow Long in Effingham County leads to discovery of body

8:34 AM, Sep 10, 2013

WATSON, Ill. (KSDK) - A body has been found in the search area of Effingham County, Illinois where hundreds of people have been looking for a missing 7-year-old girl.

Willow Long disappeared from her family home in the Village of Watson over the weekend, igniting a massive search of the area for the little girl.

Authorities notified the media on-scene Tuesday morning a child's body had been located by four volunteers around 7:30 p.m. Monday.

Investigators say they have not made an official identification on the remains and an autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday morning to determine a cause of death. The search for Willow has been suspended.

Illinois State Police and the Effingham County Sheriff's Department continue to investigate the child's disappearance.

Crime scene tape has been up around Willow's home since 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Stay tuned to NewsChannel 5 and KSDK.com for the latest on the discovery and the ongoing investigation for additional details as they become available.

http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/397080/40/Body-of-child-found-near-search-area-for-Willow-Long-

"Her mother and uncle were home when she went missing." ... Hate to say it but I hope the uncle's not involved.

involved.http://fox2now.com/2013/09/09/7-year-old-girl-missing-from-effingham-county-in-illinois/

Just read on twitter (@MissingCases) Uncle in custody - arrested on 'unspecified charges'?

"But De Ryke (Willow's grandfather) complained he hasn't been allowed to see his son Justin, Willow's uncle, and was only able to speak to daughter Ciara briefly."

http://effinghamdailynews.com/local/x1253341780/Grandfather-fears-granddaughter-abducted#sthash.lgTJZav7.dpuf

TUESDAY 11AM UPDATE: We have confirmed that Willow Long's Uncle, Justin D. Deryke, is in custody in the Effingham County Jail, being held on the charge of First Degree Murder. We are awaiting more information on these charges, and expect to know more later Tuesday afternoon.

http://www.thexradio.com/news/78-local-news/7442-update-body-of-small-child-found-near-search-area-for-missing-willow-long

Willow Long's body identified, Justin DeRyke arrested for murder

3:17 PM, Sep 10, 2013  
Brandie Piper

WATSON, Ill. (KSDK) - The 22-year-old uncle of a 7-year-old girl who went missing over the weekend has been arrested on suspicion of her murder.

According to Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler, 22-year-old Justin D. DeRyke was arrested at 5:50 a.m. Tuesday. DeRyke is 7-year-old Willow Long's maternal uncle.

Willow disappeared Sunday morning. Her mother said she laid down for approximately 90 minutes because she had a headache. When she woke up, Willow was gone.

PHOTOS: Body of child found in Effingham Co.

Around 7:30 p.m. Monday a child's body was found by four volunteers searching for Willow. On Tuesday, the body was identified as Willow's.

An autopsy is underway at St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham. Kibler says all indications are that the death is a homicide, though a specific cause of death has not been released.

Illinois State Police are in charge of the investigation. Crime scene tape has been up around Willow's home since 6 a.m. Tuesday.

The Effingham County State's Attorney's Office will file first-degree murder charges against DeRyke Wednesday afternoon. Additional charges may be filed at a later date.

DeRyke is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday afternoon.

http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/397080/3/Willow-Longs-body-identified-Justin-DeRyke-arrested-for-murder

Family, Neighbors Grieving Willow Long
UPDATED:  7:58 PM EDT
The search is over. Authorities confirm a child's body found just south of Watson Monday night is that of Willow Long, the 7-year-old who disappeared Sunday morning from her home. The girl's uncle, Justin DeRyke, is behind bars, charged with first-degree murder in connection with the case.

http://www.wics.com/

When I read she was missing I was hoping for the best.  The video from WICS states that it was an accident and he panicked.  If that was so a murder charge would not be forthcoming.  They have several videos. We will see in time some of the details.  Unortunately we don't have the death penalty here anymore.

Uncle charged with murder after missing seven-year-old girl is found dead… but relative says she died after ‘falling onto a pile of sharp sticks’

The uncle of a seven-year-old girl has been charged with murder after her body was found in a river bed near her home.

Justin DeRyke, 22, was taken into custody after the authorities discovered the body of Willow Long, who was reported missing on Sunday.

A spokesman for The Effingham State's Attorney Office said all the indications suggested the death was homicide.

But the girl’s grandfather, Dale DeRyke, who is also the father of the alleged killer, said his son panicked after what he claimed was an accident.

Dale DeRyke told Fox2Now Justin was babysitting the little girl on Saturday night.  

He said the two were playing when Willow ran outside, where a pile of sticks was scattered over the floor.

'A stick went through her and through her head,' he said.

'She was laying there twitching and dying.'

Mr DeRyke Snr then claims his son got scared and hid the body.

Now he says his son has 'nothing but remorse,' for what he has done.

Authorities would not comment on DeRyke’s statement.


Suspect: Justin DeRyke, 22, was arrested after the body of his niece, Willow Long, was found near a river bed in Watson, Illinois

Spokesman Bryan Kibler, said: 'All indications are that the death is a homicide.

'The Effingham County State’s Attorney’s office will file First Degree Murder charges against the defendant on Wednesday afternoon in Effingham County Circuit Court, pending the possibility of additional charges to be filed later.'


Heartbreak: The search for Willow Long ended in agony when her body was found on Monday evening


Search: A volunteer speaks to residents as she passes out fliers with the photo of 7-year-old Willow Long

Tearful friends and neighbors marched down the quiet Watson, Illinois street adjacent to the little girl's house, carrying stuffed animals and balloons in memory of her on Tuesday afternoon.

They were placed outside the DeRyke home, which was still a crime scene two hours earlier.

A 10-year-old girl and friend of Willow, Ashlee Erikson, said: 'She was a nice kind bright little girl and she was my best friend.  

'She was gone too soon.'

Her mother, Dawn Erikson was also overcome with emotion.

She said: 'We moved away from the big city to get away from this.  

'And to have it happen here is ridiculous. And to find out it was her own family?  

'These are gifts from God.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2417336/Missing-Willow-Long-Uncle-charged-murder-seven-year-old-girl-dead.html

Click on the link for a video.  Her grandfather is interviewed.  William

More Charges in Willow Long Death

UPDATED September 11, 4:45 p.m.
Just DeRyke, Willow Long's uncle, is now charged with three counts of first-degree murder. A probable cause statement shows he was babysitting his niece the night of the murder.

In DeRyke's first court appearance, dozens were shocked by the brutal details presented in the probable cause statement.

The statement is basically the facts as prosecutors know them from interviews and evidence. It alleges that late Saturday night, Willow tugged on her uncle's arm to ask him to watch TV with her--but scratched him in the process. That led to a fight, and Willow was killed shortly after.

Here's the story the probable cause statement paints. Be advised: some of the following details are graphic.

Saturday evening, Willow's mother, Cierra DeRyke, left her daughter and 3-year-old son in their uncle's care. She went to a bar and restaurant, and didn't return until after midnight.

After Willow approached her uncle that night, he yelled at her and she ran outside.

According to the uncle, Willow tripped in the yard and fell into a brush pile, causing a stick to go through her neck.

DeRyke told police he saw Willow twitching on the ground, and felt the need to "end her suffering."

DeRyke went back into the house to get a knife. He then slit her throat and stabbed her multiple times in the heart.

DeRyke wrapped up his niece's body and drove her south of their home, where he dumped her near a river. The body was found in plastic bags Monday night.

DeRyke's bail was set at $5 million, meaning it will take $500,000 to make bond.

The Effingham County State's Attorney said more charges could be added as the case goes on.

Police said when hundreds of people were searching for Willow, DeRyke went to work early and didn't help with the search.

The grand jury will decide on these charges next Wednesday, September 18. The following day, DeRyke is scheduled to make his next court appearance.

Willow's mother was not in court today. The Effingham County Sheriff has no explanation for statements he said the mother made to him that she saw her daughter early Sunday morning. She reported Willow missing just before 11 a.m.
-----
UPDATED September 11, 1:56 p.m.
The man accused in the death of 7-year-old Willow Long made his first appearance in Effingham County court today.

Justin DeRyke is charged with three counts of first-degree murder.

According to a series of interviews collected by police, DeRyke was babysitting Willow Saturday night, while her mother was at a bar and grill.

A probable cause statement introduced in court indicates Willow approached her uncle at 11 p.m. to watch TV. She tugged on his arm and scratched him. He yelled, and she ran outside. She tripped and fell on a brush pile, and was impaled by a stick. DeRyke reportedly saw her twitching on the ground, and, he told police, wanted to "end her suffering." He then retrieved a knife from the house and stabbed Willow several times.

Authorities say stab wounds were the cause of Willow's death.

Stay with ABC Newschannel 20 for more details on this developing story.

http://wics.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_13085.shtml

Looks now like she did fall but this monster instead of calling for help slit her throat.  Unfortunately we don't have the death penalty any more.  William

I don't believe she fell onto sticks.

"An autopsy conducted Tuesday on the girl revealed that her throat had been slashed. Smaller stab wounds were also discovered near her collarbone and neck. Doctors also found defensive wounds on Willow's hands, according to the station."

STAB wounds near collar bone and neck, not puncture wounds from sticks. He's a cold blooded murderer.

mom_in_il wrote:I don't believe she fell onto sticks.

"An autopsy conducted Tuesday on the girl revealed that her throat had been slashed. Smaller stab wounds were also discovered near her collarbone and neck. Doctors also found defensive wounds on Willow's hands, according to the station."

STAB wounds near collar bone and neck, not puncture wounds from sticks. He's a cold blooded murderer.

You got that right. Unfortunately we don't have the death penalty here now. William

Willow Long Update: Uncle charged with murder in stabbing death of 7-year-old niece
(CBS) EFFINGHAM, Ill. - Justin DeRyke, the uncle of Willow Long, a 7-year-old Illinois girl who was found dead Monday night, was charged Wednesday with three counts of first-degree murder in her death and was ordered held on $5 million bond, CBS St. Louis reports.

A criminal complaint alleges the 22-year-old DeRyke stabbed his niece in the chest with a knife on the family's property Saturday night.

DeRyke told investigators he was home alone with Willow and her three-year-old brother Saturday night when Willow accidentally scratched him, according to court documents obtained by the station. This reportedly angered him and caused him to yell at Willow which in turn led her to run out of the house and towards a brush pile in the family's backyard.

DeRyke said he chased after her, but she tripped and fell into the brush pile causing a stick to impale her neck, the station reports, according to the documents.
DeRyke reportedly told police Willow began to twitch and he believed he had to end her suffering, so he grabbed a knife out of his bedroom, slit her throat and then stabbed her in the heart approximately five times.

According to court documents, DeRyke then told police he put Willow's body into several plastic bags and secured the bags with duct tape. Afterwards, DeRyke said he disposed Willow's body in a rural area south of Watson, Illinois.

Volunteers discovered Willow's body around 7:30 p.m. Monday and DeRyke was arrested around 6 a.m. Tuesday.

An autopsy conducted Tuesday on the girl revealed that her throat had been slashed. Smaller stab wounds were also discovered near her collarbone and neck. Doctors also found defensive wounds on Willow's hands, according to the station.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57602515-504083/willow-long-update-uncle-charged-with-murder-in-stabbing-death-of-7-year-old-niece/

These monsters lie to the police and think they can get away with it.  Forensics don't lie.  William

You're right William!

"An autopsy was performed on Willow Long’s body at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, IL. It revealed that the body’s throat had been slashed, and there was a stab wound around the child’s neck. In addition, she had defensive wounds on her hands which don’t coincide with Justin’s story. And there’s no mention of her being stabbed by a branch. The preliminary autopsy determination is that the death was a homicide inflicted by a knife."

http://fox2now.com/2013/09/11/new-details-emerge-in-death-of-willow-long/

I'm not sure how this works but this sweet little girls tragic end is breaking in the news in my area and would like her to be known and posted to this site if not already, I couldn't find anything on her here and wanted to make everyone aware.
http://m.cbsnews.com/storysynopsis.rbml?

&pageType=general&catid=57602515&feed_id=999&videofeed=999&nb_splitPage=2

I apologize, I found her. I'm a long time lurker in the adjudicated section, only familiar with reading, not posting. I know this is in the wrong place, I can't remove it. I do want to say this site is amazing and the lives these angel baby's can live on and not be forgotten. Let justice be served!

Welcome Kirvia!

I moved your post here to Willow's thread. We reserve the Main Blog for daily discussion or special informational posts from Admin.

Thank you.

Debbie DeRyke, Willow Long's grandmother, speaks out for the first time

7:22 PM, Sep 13, 2013
Steve Patterson

WATSON, Ill. (KSDK) --  A community in Effingham County continues to mourn after a 7-year-old girl first reported missing was later found dead in an apparent homicide.

Now, the Willow Long's grandmother is speaking out.

"She was like my pride and joy," Debbie DeRyke, Willow's grandmother, said. "When I heard what happened, I balled like a baby, it's like out of a dream."

DeRyke says her sadness goes beyond Willow.

She says her daughter Ciara DeRyke has been stricken with grief and practically in hiding.

"She has been in bed bawling every day," Debbie DeRyke said. "We're trying to keep her protected, she don't want to deal with the media."

Her son, Justin DeRyke is accused of murdering his own niece. She says she's stunned about any involvement from Justin, but didn't jump to his defense.

"We had no idea that maybe our son had some problems," she said. "I don't know, We are asking ourselves over and over was there any signs we might have missed, was there something we didn't know."

She says despite everything happening in her family, the community has been supportive and generous.

A funeral for Willow is scheduled for Monday.

http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/397791/3/Willow-Longs-grandmother-speaks-out-for-first-time

Willow Long Update: Justin DeRyke, Ill. man, pleads not guilty in niece's stabbing death, report says

September 19, 2013 4:14 PM
By Erin Donaghue

(CBS/AP) EFFINGHAM, Ill. - The Illinois man who allegedly told investigators he killed his 7-year-old niece to end her suffering after a stick impaled her neck has pleaded not guilty in her murder, CBS affiliate KMOV reports.

Justin DeRyke, 22, was charged Sept. 11 with first-degree murder in the death of Willow Long. Prosecutors say DeRyke told investigators he killed his niece to end her suffering after she accidentally fell onto a brush pile Sept. 8 and pierced her neck with a stick near the family's Watson, Ill. home.

Wednesday afternoon, a grand jury indicted DeRyke on three counts in Long's murder, according to a statement from the Effingham County State's Attorney's office. Each count charges DeRyke with first-degree murder.

DeRyke appeared in court Thursday at 1 p.m. for an arraignment, reports the station. Prosecutors reportedly plan to seek a sentence of life in prison.

A judge set a Dec. 2 trial date, reports the Effingham Daily News, though prosecutors reportedly said it's "highly unlikely" the case will go to trial that quickly because of its complexity.

The Illinois state Department of Children and Family Services is also investigating DeRyke, a spokesman told CBS News' Crimesider, along with DeRyke's mother.

The investigations were launched on Sept. 8 -- the same day the girl was reported missing -- after someone called a DCFS hotline to report allegations of neglect and abuse. Two allegations of neglect were reported against the girl's mother, Ciarra DeRyke, and one allegation of abuse was reported against Justin DeRyke, he the spokesman said.

Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler told Crimesider there are no criminal charges against Ciarra DeRyke "at this time." The criminal investigation is still in its early stages and it's not clear whether more charges will be filed in the case, he said.

Justin DeRyke lived with his parents, Dale and Deborah DeRyke, his sister, Ciarra DeRyke, and Ciarra DeRyke's two children, reported Fox2 in St. Louis.On the evening of Sept. 7, Dale and Deborah DeRyke, who are truck drivers, were on the road, reports the station. The children's mother reportedly went to a bar and left her two children in the care of their uncle, Justin DeRyke.

DeRyke told investigators he was home alone with Willow and her three-year-old brother Saturday night when Willow accidentally scratched him, according to court documents obtained by CBS affiliate KMOX. This reportedly angered him and caused him to yell at Willow which in turn led her to run out of the house and towards a brush pile in the family's backyard.

DeRyke said he chased after her, but she tripped and fell into the brush pile causing a stick to impale her neck, the station reports, according to the documents.

DeRyke reportedly told police Willow began to twitch and he believed he had to end her suffering, so he grabbed a knife out of his bedroom, slit her throat and then stabbed her in the heart approximately five times.

According to court documents, DeRyke then told police he put Willow's body into several plastic bags and secured the bags with duct tape. Afterwards, DeRyke said he disposed Willow's body in a rural area south of Watson, Illinois.

An autopsy revealed that her throat had been slashed. Smaller stab wounds were also discovered near her collarbone and neck. Doctors also found defensive wounds on Willow's hands, according to KMOX.

A funeral was held for the girl Monday.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57603735-504083/willow-long-update-justin-deryke-ill-man-pleads-not-guilty-in-nieces-stabbing-death-report-says/

Uncle charged with murder of 7-year-old Illinois girl back in court today

by KMOV.com staff
Posted on October 22, 2013 at 6:11 AM

(KMOV) -- A man who faces charges after he allegedly killed his 7-year-old niece in Effingham County, Ill. in Sept. will be back in court Tuesday morning.

Justin DeRyke, 22, is scheduled to have a pretrial hearing on three counts of first-degree murder. He’s been in jail on a $5 million bond since Sept. 10 after he was charged in the death of Willow Long. He pleaded not guilty to the charges during an arraignment on Sept. 19.

DeRyke’s trial will begin on Dec. 2. Illinois State’s Attorney Bryan Kibbler said he will file papers to seek a sentence of natural life in prison.

Police said the body of Long—who was reported missing on  Sept. 8--was found by four search volunteers in an area south of Watson around 7:30 p.m. near the Little Wabash River a day later.

According to court documents, DeRyke told officers he was home alone watching Long and her brother when the alleged incident occurred. Police said Long’s mother was at a local bar and her grandparents were out of town.

DeRyke told police he spent most of the evening in his room playing video games. When he left the room to go to the bathroom, he said Long tugged on his arm and asked him to watch a movie with her. During the exchange, DeRyke said the girl accidentally scratched his arm, causing it to bleed.

He reportedly got upset and yelled at Long, which caused her to run into the front yard. According to his statement, DeRyke said she then fell on a brush pile, causing a stick to impale her in the neck.

DeRyke said he wanted to end her suffering.  

Prosecutors said he then slit her throat before stabbing her in the heart and throat. Police said DeRyke put the girl’s body in a plastic bag, duct taped it and dumped it in the Little Wabash River.

According to police, an autopsy concluded Long’s throat had been slashed. She also had stab wounds on her collarbone and neck as well as defensive wounds on her hands.

http://www.kmov.com/news/crime/Uncle-charged-with-murder-of-7-year-old-Illinois-girl-back-in-court-today-228747721.html

Willow Long's mom charged with obstructing officer

Brandie Piper, KSDK
5:19 p.m. EST December 9, 2013

EFFINGHAM, Ill. – The mother of a 7-year-old girl who police say was killed by her uncle has been charged with obstructing a peace officer.

Ciara N. DeRyke, 26, is accused of knowingly obstructing the work of Effingham County sheriff's deputies Sept. 8 during the initial investigation into her daughter, Willow Long's disappearance.

"Ciara DeRyke related to these officers on Sept. 8 that she had observed and interacted with her daughter earlier that same morning," said State's Attorney Bryan Kibler. "We believe that, in making such a statement, Ms. DeRyke was knowingly furnishing false information."

Though a motive for the obstruction has not been disclosed, Kibler emphasized they do not believe DeRyke participated in Willow's murder.

Willow's uncle and Ciara DeRyke's brother, 22-year-old Justin DeRyke, is charged with first-degree murder. He was watching Willow and her 3-year-old brother Saturday, Sept. 7 while Ciara DeRyke went out with friends. He told officers Willow scratched his arm while trying to pull him into the living room to watch television.

Justin DeRyke got upset and started to yell at Willow, who ran outside. He said Willow tripped and impaled herself on a stick, so he grabbed a knife and slit her throat and stabbed her in the chest to end her suffering.

Willow's body was wrapped in plastic bags secured with duct tape, and dumped in a rural area south of Watson, Ill. Her body was found Monday, Sept. 9.

Ciara DeRyke reported Willow missing Sunday morning. She originally said Willow disappeared while she took a 90 minute nap.

Willow's 3-year-old brother was taken into protective custody by Illinois state child-welfare officials.

Ciara DeRyke's bail is set at $75,000. If convicted, she could be sentenced to up to one year in prison.

http://www.ksdk.com/story/news/crime/2013/12/09/ciara-deryke-willow-longs-mom-charged-obstruction-peace-officer/3926443/

Justin DeRyke Trial Delayed Until April

Published on February 4 2014 11:31 am
Last Updated on February 4 2014 11:31 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Another delay in the murder trial of Justin DeRyke.

During a brief court appearance Tuesday morning, Effingham County Public Defender Scott Schmidt requested a continuance until the April trial setting. Schmidt said they cannot be ready for trial this coming Monday as had been scheduled.

Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler had no objection to the request for a continuance.

Judge Marc Kelly rescheduled DeRyke's trial for April 7. A hearing to consider any pre-trial motions was scheduled for 11am on March 18.

DeRyke is charged with the death of his seven-year-old niece, Willow Long, in Watson in September. He was originally set to go on trial in December.

DeRyke is being held in Effingham County Jail under $5 million bond.

http://www.thexradio.com/news/78-local-news/9712-justin-deryke-trial-delayed-until-april

Uncle Pleads Guilty in Death of His Niece

Posted on: 2:09 pm, March 18, 2014,
updated on: 05:22pm, March 18, 2014
by Staff Writer

(KTVI) – Justin Deryke pleads guilty in the murder of his niece. He will spend the rest of his life in prison as part of a plea agreement.

DeRyke, 22, is charged with killing his 7-year-old niece Willow Long on September 7. The Watson, Illinois girl’s uncle, admitted to killing her to quote, “put her out of her misery,” after he claimed that she fell on a stick that pierced her neck. Autopsy results later showed she suffered stab wounds.

In September, he plead not guilty to all three counts of first degree murder.

http://fox2now.com/2014/03/18/justin-deryke-pleads-guilty-to-murder-of-niece/

This mother is a POS or she would not have protected and lied for the man who murdered her little girl.  Both are POSs.