Rae Ann Schneider was 20 and had moved to Bloomington-Normal in August 1972 to attend to a new start. A 1971 graduate of Harlem High School who lived with roommates and worked as a waitress at Steak and Shake, she struggled with epilepsy and needed seizure medication. On the evening of December 22, 1972, she left work and was last seen walking home; her roommates grew concerned when she did not return and her sister was notified.

Police later developed leads and an arrest in an unrelated assault case in August 1973 produced a confession. Jesse Donald Sumner admitted killing Rae Ann and led officers to her remains, buried under the dirt floor of his garage; she had been bludgeoned in the head. Her Harlem High School class ring helped confirm her identity. Sumner later pleaded guilty to Rae Ann’s murder and was sentenced to prison.

Rae Ann was buried in Sunset Memorial Gardens.