Ronald Gusewelle, 33, of Edwardsville, Illinois, was murdered on March 31, 1979. His death occurred alongside the killings of his parents, Arthur and Vernita Gusewelle, in a case that became one of Madison County’s most notorious.

Investigators determined that Ronald’s wife, Barbara Jean Boyle, had married him, taken out a substantial life insurance policy on him, and conspired with Glennon Engleman to arrange his killing. Engleman carried out Ronald’s murder in the couple’s garage in rural Edwardsville. Boyle was charged with three counts of murder; she was convicted of murdering Ronald but acquitted of the murders of his parents and was sentenced to 50 years in prison. Engleman admitted to killing Ronald and his parents and received multiple life terms; he died in prison in 1999.

The case drew prolonged public attention and left a lasting imprint on the community.