On November 16, 1995, 28-year-old Debra Evans of Addison, Illinois, was murdered in her apartment while nine months pregnant with her fourth child, whom she had planned to name Elijah. Debra was the mother of three: 10-year-old Samantha, 8-year-old Joshua, and 19-month-old Jordan. Ward allegedly tried to buy the unborn baby for $2,000; when Debra refused, Caffey shot her. Samantha was also killed, Joshua was kidnapped and later murdered, and Jordan was left alone in the apartment with his deceased mother and sister.

All three—Ward, Williams, and Caffey—were arrested and charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping. During the trial, testimony stated Williams had been pressuring Caffey to have a baby, had faked a pregnancy, and had repeatedly moved a supposed due date; ultimately all three were found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. Who in the community might have known more about the relationships between Debra, Ward, Williams, and Caffey?