Lifetouch Church Directories and Portraits
On April 30, 1989, police in Lakeville, Indiana encountered a crime scene they’d never forget: two adults and two children found shot dead in their home.
Reverend Bob Pelley was found shot to death in the hallway of his Lakeville, Indiana, home. Downstairs in the basement, police found the bodies of Bob’s wife, Dawn Pelley, and her daughters Janel, 8, and Jolene, 6. The victims, pictured in the front row, had all been shot at close range with a shotgun.
Three of the Pelley children Jacque, Jeff and Jessica [back row from left] were not home that night.
The Crime Scene
Indiana Court of Appeals
Bob Pelley’s glasses were found next to his body in the hallway.
A Missing Weapon
Indiana Court of Appeals
A shotgun was missing from this gun rack which police believed was the murder weapon.
A Shotgun Remnant
Indiana Court of Appeals
Remnants of a shotgun shell were found embedded in this book.
A Son Suspected
Eric King
Jeff Pelley seen here at his LaVille high school graduation, became a suspect when investigators learned his father, Bob Pelley, restricted Jeff’s activities on prom night.
Prom Night
Eric King
Jeff Pelley attended the LaVille High School prom on the night of Saturday, April 29, 1989.
A Survivor
Jamie Collins
Jessica Pelley, right, came home to police activity and learned her family was dead. At left is her sister Janel, who was among those killed.
Jeff Pelley Suspected
Eric King
Investigators found Jeff Pelley, pictured in sunglasses at center, at the Great America amusement park in Illinois on Sunday, April 30.
Questioning Jeff Pelley
Indiana Court of Appeals
Jeff Pelley, seated between his grandparents, was questioned by St. Joseph’s County Detective John Botich the day after his family was found.
The Crime Scene
Indiana Court of Appeals
Jeff Pelley denied any involvement in the murders and said he had no idea who would want to kill his family.