Robert Bonsai Bee Jr was 13 when he ran from a truancy officer at his Pekin, Illinois home on November 17, 2016, and was reported missing. He had a history of running away, so his disappearance was first treated as an endangered runaway, but conflicting accounts from his mother complicated the case — she at one point said he had stayed overnight at a friend’s house, a claim authorities could not confirm.

Searches continued for nine months. On July 24, 2017, remains later identified by dental records and DNA were found scattered near Route 29 about 11 miles from his home, discovered by someone mowing a lawn on property connected to an acquaintance of Robert’s mother. The process of obtaining DNA confirmation was delayed in part because Robert’s father had died in March 2017, limiting available reference samples. Investigators said the death was likely a homicide and noted that people with ties to the property and to a family friend were involved in the inquiry, but no arrests have been announced.

Team Bonsai and other local volunteers mounted extensive search efforts that drew a strong community response. Many questions remain about how Robert came to be on that property and what led to his death. If anyone knew Robert’s movements, his associates, or has information about the property where he was found, please come forward.