One winter night, Ryan Riddell and Mark Prasse experienced unexpected and overwhelming violence inside Mark Prasse’s home, which cost them their lives. Murders do not usually happen in small towns in the Midwest. It is hard to believe that Ryan Riddell had been the victim of a home invasion at his farmhouse just seven months before. Their family and friends are crying out for answers on this unsolved double murder which occurred in Chrisman IL. Who killed Ryan Riddell and Mark Prasse? There is a $25,000 Reward for the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for their murders.
Related Images
Ryan Riddell and Mark Prasse were found murdered seven months after the Home Invasion at Ryan Riddell’s residence. This double homicide is still unsolved. (Image Source)
Arnie Graves (Image provided by Angelique Graves)
Douglas County Chief Deputy Tommy Martin who was killed in the line-of-duty on June 21, 2007. (Image Source)
Terry Romine, Ryan’s Step Dad, Terry Romine with case file he organized on the unsolved murders of his son, Ryan Riddell and his best friend Mark Prasse
Sarintha Riddle Nelson, Ryan’s step-sister
Chicago Police Detective Timothy Nolan (Ret.) Detective Nolan started as a Chicago Police Officer in 1986 and was assigned to the south side, which is known for its significant gang crime. During his career, he was a member of the Chicago Police Department Gang Crimes Unit and a rifleman for the Hostage Barricade Terrorist Team. He was promoted to detective in 1996, where he was assigned to Area One Violent Crimes. He investigated all violent crimes but primarily homicides. He was also certified as a Fire Investigator and worked in the Bomb and Arson Section. He retired after a 30-year career.
Yusef Kareem Brown (Image Source)
William B Thompson (Image Source)
Dawn Coyne Trimble: Investigative Reporter/ Guest Host Dawn is a successful real estate broker with Keller Williams. She gives back to her community as a volunteer leader with Crime Stoppers at the local, state, national and international level:
Vice President: Champaign County, Illinois Crime Stoppers
Board Member: Illinois State Crime Stoppers Association
Regional Director/ Board Member: Crime Stoppers USA
Advisory Board Member: Crime Stoppers International
Case Resources
- Interview with Terry Romine (Step- father of Ryan Riddell). 05.16.20
- Interview with Sarintha Riddell Nelson (Step-sister of Ryan Riddell). 05.14.20
- Interview with Lon Tay (Friend of Ryan Riddell and Mark Prasse). 05.18.20
- Interview with Chicago Police Detective Timothy Nolan (Ret). 09.28.2020
- Interview with Rhett Burris (Friend of Ryan Riddell and Mark Prasse). 11.13.20
- Interview with Rich Osborne (Friend of Ryan Riddell and Mark Prasse). 11.16.20
- Interview with Amy Riddell (Widow of Ryan Riddell). 11.20.20
- Interview with Karen Riddell (Step-mother to Ryan Riddell and mother to Sarintha Riddell Nelson). 11.29.20
- Interview with Georganna Reed (Co-Worker of Mark Prasse). 02.05.21
- “Standoff, death may be linked”. Chicago Tribune. Chicagotribune.com by Emma Graves Fitzsimmons, Monique Garcia and Angela Rozas. 06.23.2007
- “Chicagoan pleads guilty in downstate shooting”. Daily Herald by Associated Press. 03.12.2009
- “Bizarre murder here tied to Downstate crime spree”. PressReader.com. Chicago Sun Times by Frank Main. 06.23.2007
- “Man admits to killing Douglas County deputy”. News-Gazette.com by Mary Schenk. 03.12.09 updated 06.19.19
- “Arcola standoff remembered: Tommy Martin’s daughter talks about tragedy”. Journal Gazette Times-Courier. jg-tc.com by Dave Fopay. 06.22.12
- Shooter’s attorney: ‘He just panicked’. Journal Gazette Times-Courier. jg-tc.com by Dave Fopay. 06.22.12
- “Arcola community reflects on standoff”. Journal Gazette Times-Courier. jg-tc.com by Herb Meeker and Samantha Bilharz. 06.22.12
- “Tommy K Martin obituary”. Journal Gazette Times Courier powered by Legacy. jc-tc.com
- “Crime spree accomplice pleads guilty”. The News-Gazette. news-gazette.com by Mary Schenck. 09.05.20090
- “Suspect in Arcola bank hostage standoff surrenders quietly to end daylong crisis”. Herald & Review. herald-review.com by Herb Meeker. 06.22.07
- “Hundreds attend funeral for deputy slain in crime spree”. Associated Press. Pantagraph.com. 07.23.07
- “Yusef Kareem Brown sentenced to two consecutive 30-year prison terms in death of Douglas County deputy”. Harold & Review. herald-review.com by Huey Freeman. 03.10.10
- “Police meticulously search for ‘why’ in double slaying”. The News-Gazette. news-gazette.com by Mary Schenk. 01.25.10 updated 06.27.19
- “Friend, farming partner still looking for answers one year after double murder”. Journal Gazette Times-Courier. jg-tc.com by Rob Stroud. 01.28.2009
- “2008 Cold Case: Murders of Ryan Riddell and Mark Prasse”. The News-Gazette. news-gazette.com by Carol Vorel. 08.23.18 (This has possible pics of them that could be used)
- “Double Murder: Pair apparently shot to death, found in rural Chrisman home”. Journal Gazette Times Courier. jc-tc.com by Rob Stroud. 01.29.08
Special Thanks
- Capt. Aaron Hattabaugh (Retired), Professional Voiceover Artist; opening and closing announcements
- Mitch Marlow, songwriter, producer and recording engineer
