Travis Michael Purden, 43, of Bushnell, Illinois, was found dead in his home in the 600 block of Osbourne Street on June 2, 2023. Investigators determined he suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the face. Illinois State Police identified two suspects in the killing: Travis’s 19-year-old son, Davin Purden, and another Bushnell resident, Nicholas Lafary.

According to the investigation, after the shooting Davin, his mother Patricia Purden, a juvenile female, and Lafary went to the home of Michael Lock’s parents outside Avon and handed the firearm to Michael Lock intending that he dispose of it. Davin admitted to shooting his father and later told his mother. Patricia was charged with obstructing justice; prosecutors say there is probable cause she attempted to conceal evidence, while she maintains she tried to prevent further harm.

Davin Purden has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder as part of a plea agreement and faces a sentence of 20 to 60 years to be served at 100 percent, with sentencing scheduled for January 14, 2024. Nicholas Lafary has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and had a pre-trial hearing set for December 17, 2023; Patricia Purden also had a pre-trial hearing set for that date on the obstructing charge. Did anyone in the Bushnell area see or hear anything on June 2, 2023, that could help clarify what happened?