Charles Chuck Joseph Parrino Jr., 45, was found dead January 25, 2025, at a rural Bunker Hill, Illinois, residence on Shipman Cutoff Road. Coworkers at Soulard Bastille in St. Louis reported Parrino missing when he failed to show for a shift; after checks and searches they called the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department for a welfare check. Deputies arriving at the home determined the death was a homicide and the Macoupin County Coroner identified Parrino.

Authorities arrested 57-year-old Jerald Stilts of Bunker Hill in connection with the case. Stilts was initially charged with concealing a homicidal death; on January 27 those charges were upgraded to include two counts of first-degree murder, armed violence, aggravated battery/discharge of a firearm, aggravated domestic battery, possession of methamphetamine, obstruction of justice/destruction of evidence, and unlawful restraint. Investigators said Parrino and Stilts had been in a relationship and Parrino was ending it when the shooting occurred.

An autopsy was completed January 27 and a preliminary hearing for Stilts was scheduled for February 5 before Judge Joshua Meyer. Parrino’s coworkers described him as a beloved, punctual bartender in the Soulard community. If anyone knew Parrino’s movements or saw him around Bunker Hill on January 25, please share what you know.