Barbara Williams, 36, was found dead on February 5, 2004, on the side of North Valley View Road near Edwards, Illinois. Born January 30, 1968, in Gunnison, Mississippi, she lived in Peoria and worked in housekeeping at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. Her body was discovered face down in the snow, partially clothed. An autopsy noted multiple contusions and abrasions and a fatal level of cocaine in her system.

Investigators connected the death to Larry Bright, a Peoria concrete worker, who said he picked Barbara up on Peoria’s south side, took her to his residence, supplied cocaine and struck her in the throat, causing her death. He said he then dumped her body on the roadside near Edwards. Bright was later implicated in multiple deaths of African American women from the Peoria area and was convicted on counts including first-degree murder and drug-induced homicide.

Barbara’s family and community were among those affected by this case. If anyone knew Barbara, saw her on February 4 or 5, 2004, or has information about her movements that weekend, please come forward.