Samantha Cushing was 22 when she was killed on July 8, 2019. A Shelbyville, Illinois native born April 3, 1997, she had graduated from Pana High School in 2015 and worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Heritage Health in Pana. At the time of her death she was six months pregnant.

Authorities reported Samantha died from a close-range shotgun blast to the head. Her boyfriend, 24-year-old Deven Barger, was identified as the primary suspect. After the killing, Barger led police on a multi-county chase through Effingham, Shelby, and Christian Counties with the couple’s three-year-old child in the vehicle before being taken into custody near Taylorville.

Samantha is remembered by family and friends for her dedication to her work and her role as a mother. She is survived by her daughter Addison, her parents, and several siblings. If anyone knew Samantha, her routines, or saw anything relevant around July 8, 2019, please share what you know.