The body of Cristy Lynn Campbell, 32, was pulled from a submerged SUV after she drove into Silver Lake near Highland, Illinois this week. Campbell is suspected of killing her ex-husband, 37-year-old Justin Campbell, before attempting to murder her 6 older children in a house fire.
Rescue workers also found the body of Campbell’s 3-month-old son floating in the frigid water. Todd Zobrist, a heroic EMT, swam into the icy lake and pulled the infant to shore. The boy was unresponsive, but the EMT was able to resuscitate him using CPR. The 3-month-old child was taken to a hospital in St. Louis and is expected to make a full recovery.
The chaotic morning began when a house-fire at he Campbell residence was reported around 5:15 AM on Thursday, March 16th. The fire department arrived moments later responding to a 911 call.
Authorities found Justin Campbell dead with a gunshot wound to the head in the fire-gutted remains of his home.
The six older children, Justin, Robert, Madelyn, Cristian, Mya, and Jeremiah escaped the blaze and ran to a nearby Wal-Mart. “Fortunately, there is something good that can come of this,” Madison County Sheriff John Lakin told the Post-Dispatch about the miraculous survival of all 7 children. The children were immediately placed in the care of family members
Cristy Campbell was immediately named a “person of interest” and authorities began searching for her whereabouts. About an hour after the fire began a crash at Silver Lake was reported. A separate group of investigators found her dead body about 400 feet from the vehicle. Cause of death was reported to be exposure and drowning. 3-month-old Julian was found floating inside the sunken vehicle.
Grainy security footage showed Cristy leaving the home in her SUV around 4:50 AM with several children chasing after her. By 4:53 AM flames could be seen on the security footage and the remaining children fled the home.
According to the Post-Dispatch, Cristy had filed for divorce in 2010, but canceled the proceedings. In 2012 she filed for divorce a second time alleging physical abuse from her husband. A protective order was granted, but Cristy later asked to have it withdrawn. The Campbells were divorced near the end of 2012 and Cristy was given custody of the children.
In 2014 Cristy reported incidents of Justin pinching, hitting, or choking the children and asked for court supervised visitation. Three months after her request, Cristy was given a citation by Police after her 5-year-old child was found wandering alone through the streets of Glen Carbon. Police agreed to drop all charges against her if Cristy agreed to take parenting classes.
Neighbor Sherry Ricker told newspapers that she believes Justin had moved back in with Cristy and the kids some time ago. “She was happier than I had seen her in a long time,” Ricker told the Post-Dispatch about Cristy Campbell’s demeanor. Ricker also said that she had seen Cristy and Julian only 3 days earlier and everything seemed fine.
The local community is organizing a relief effort to help rebuild the lives of 7 boys and girls who have literally lost everything. According to the Post-Dispatch, community organizers are collecting donations to buy new shoes, clothing, diapers, toys, and other necessities for the children. Several volunteers have begun raising money for a college fund.
Eric Wright posted more information about supporting the Campbell children on Facebook,
This post is Not Why or How…these kids lost Everything..including their Parents.
They need shoes,clothes, coats..anything and everything. I don’t know sizes..please judge sizes..if you have something to donate..I will see to it that it’s picked up! Been a rough day.. Cristy Campbell is blood family we will go to hell and back for our family. If there’s any Cash donations..it will go to their well being…Please help these kids..I will pick donations tomorrow..I’ve gotten so many messages from you guys wanting to help..sadly I can’t drive everywhere and pick up..if your in the Chester,Sparta area I will. Asking those who really want to donate mail a Gift card it will go directly to them.
Thank you for your thoughts, concerns and prayers.
Thank you for all the donations..clothes and cash donated is being delivered now..wanna donate..put couple bucks on a Wal-Mart Gift card. That helps with food..cosmetics..diapers..etc.Mail to
April Wright
631 Chestnut St
Chester il
62233
Eric later posted a note with clothing sizes for the 7 children,
If you would like to help the Campbell children, please contact Eric and April Wright at the address above.
Like and share this story to help provide some hope for 7 innocent children who have just lost everything. Please leave a comment on Facebook to give your support for the Campbell children.