Found Deceased IL - Robert Bee, 13, Pekin, 17 November 2016 *arrest April 2026*

[Mckinseynana]

I think Robert Bee was let down by many people in his life. I’m happy to see Ash take this case. Poor Robert needs help because he certainly didn’t get it while he was alive!

 

[kimmo]

A few articles from 2020

Protesters want Robert Bee Jr. case turned over to Illinois State Police | CIProud.com

Supporters of murdered child Robert Bee hold rally to pressure the police

 

[hotsytotsy]

Bumping for Robert.

 

[tlorik]

Two years since the last post - and this one may get lost but I wanted to share something I learned about myself and quick judgments, pre-conceived ideas, etc. I started following this case when Bonzai first went missing. Through all the interviews and quotes from his mom, I was completely convinced that she was involved, actively or passively. After watching the interviews on the YouTube series by Ash Patino, I changed my mind on any active involvement and realized we will probably never know all the facts and who was ultimately responsible. This town seems to be drowning in drug use - at least in that neighborhood. I'm not sure that the majority of players, and/or witnesses have enough active brain cells left to remember what actually took place. That is not meant to be mean or derogatory - just years of alcohol and drug abuse taking it's toll. I feel like Robert's care was more in his own hands than anyone elses and he tagged along with older kids that were doing things that were out of his league. He was left to his own devices for the most part and found "belonging" in the wrong group. I don't think we'll ever know the absolute truth of his passing or find anyone that can actually be held accountable. I fell in love with his smile the first time I saw his picture and it just hurts my heart that he was not important enough to the right people to come first. I would have taken him in. Be happy little Bee - I know you are in a wonderful place doing amazing things!

 

[tlcya]

Was thinking about young Bonzai this afternoon and how his case will likely never be solved. Ash did an awesome job of trying to get to the answers and of keeping this kiddo with the impish grin out in the public eye long after the press lost interest in covering his case.

I agree with @tlorik we will probably never know. It is so disheartening to think there are so many kids out there, like Robert, who are simply left to their own devices because those who should be caring for them are too wrapped up in their own selfish pursuits. I suspect his mother's only crime is that of extreme apathy and a nonexistent maternal instinct which indirectly led to his eventual death.

It makes me sad. The whole darn case hurts my heart.

 

[sammyed]

Thinking about Robert aka Bonzai today. I haven't yet watched the Ashes to Ash documentary, might do so, but did learn that Pekin police called in Illinois State Police and still this case hasn't been solved. Very sad. You'd think good detective work could've established where he went when running away from truancy or probation officer that morning, resting to go to school. And the chronic neglect by his mother, with all her problems-you would think he'd have been removed from the home although he probably would've run from any but a locked facility, too. I've read speculation from homicide to asthma attack, but police need to care first. So sad.

 

[favoritesong]

Robert Bee Jr.’s alleged killer arrested

Nine years but finally some justice for Bonzai!

 

[favoritesong]

More info in this article. Poor Bonzai was just failed by everyone and it’s infuriating that it took this long to make an arrest.

 

[libraryg]

More info in this article. Poor Bonzai was just failed by everyone and it’s infuriating that it took this long to make an arrest.

Being local to this case I am both infuriated and heart sick at how this young man's life had no apparent value to anyone in terms of parental figures. When Bonzai went missing I drove around Lisa's neighborhood several times, looking for anything which woud point me to where he was. MY GOD what an abomination. Praying so hard for justice and swift, painful karma for the evil doers who took Bonzai from this realm.

 

[mpnola]

That article made me so angry!!!!! What was this dude still doing on the street??? I do not understand. Poor Bonsai. The humans around him are disgusting.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

It was not immediately clear whether Brackett had an attorney or had entered a plea.

At the news conference, Ranney said investigators “showed great tenacity through the last decade to make sure that no stone was unturned, and that every investigative technique that we had available to us at the time and since then was investigated.”

According to a probable cause statement obtained by WMBD-TV, Bee and Brackett were considered friends. Bee was said to visit Brackett’s home when he would skip school.

On November 18, 2026, Bee’s mother reported her son was missing, according to court filings viewed by the Peoria Journal Star.

Months later, in July 2017, Bee’s remains were discovered behind a home located on a property that Brackett had been maintaining, according to authorities, the newspaper reported.

During an investigation, detectives discovered rope at a residence where Brackett had been living that had a similar appearance to ropes located near the site of Bee’s remains, court documents say, according to the Peoria Journal Star.

Suspect Accused of Killing 13-Year-Old Robert Bee Nearly 10 Years After Boy Vanished

A murder suspect, Keith Brackett, has been arrested in the death of 13-year-old Robert Bee, who was found dead after he went missing in 2016, police say

www.usmagazine.com

 

[tlcya]

I just saw this on my FB feed. Finally, at long last, movement on Bonsai's case.

 

[tlcya]

“We tried to reach out to Keith. It wasn’t easy to contact him,” said Ash Patino, filmmaker of the Documentary ”Ashes to Ash.” I tried to set up appointments through the jail, but he never seemed interested in meeting. I think some of the things that made Keith a really interesting suspect is that they would hangout. Robert Bee was way too young to be hanging out with somebody at that age.”
[snip]
Although Brackett denied being anywhere near the crime scene when Bee went missing, the affidavit revealed digital data allegedly showing Brackett had been in the area several times between Nov. 18, 2016 and July 24, 2017. It also revealed possibly suspicious Google searches, like “How long does DNA stay on ropes?” and “what to do if you are suspect in a murder?”
Suspect arrested in connection to 2016 murder, concealment of 13-year-old Robert Bee

Suspect arrested, charged nearly a decade after Pekin teen’s murder

 

[cvaldez1975]

At long last.
Anecdotal story, my son is 13 and rides e dirt bike. A “man” he said, in the neighborhood saw him riding, he saw him some days later and the man had got a bike. The man stopped him and told him he inspired him to buy a bike. The hairs on my neck stood up. I told him “idc how cool he acts don’t ever go in that man’s house or anywhere alone w him.” I mean could be innocent, but where was that concern by the adults in poor Bonzai’s life? I’m glad he is now getting justice. He deserved more in life. Poor kid.

 

[Orbweaver]

I read through this case for the first time last night and kept wondering why his friend walked with him to the school bus stop but didn’t go to school with him. It hadn’t occurred to me that the mother of a 13 year old would refer to an adult decades her child’s senior as a friend. That friend didn’t board the bus because he was Robert’s despicable groomer and murderer. How indescribably tragic.

 

[hey-Debbie]

I read through this case for the first time last night and kept wondering why his friend walked with him to the school bus stop but didn’t go to school with him. It hadn’t occurred to me that the mother of a 13 year old would refer to an adult decades her child’s senior as a friend. That friend didn’t board the bus because he was Robert’s despicable groomer and murderer. How indescribably tragic.

Me either. I didn't realize that, but maybe I missed something along the way with this case.

 

[joe jones]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2044121007707861161

 

[hey-Debbie]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2044121007707861161

Very interesting. Goes by Amy Jo now. "Now"as in after he was arrested or before he was arrested? Curious because if convicted this would allow him to be housed with females.