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After nearly a decade of waiting, investigators have made an arrest in one of central Illinois’ most heartbreaking cold cases.
Keith A. Brackett, 46, was taken into custody Wednesday morning and charged with first-degree murder and concealment of a homicide in the death of 13-year-old Robert “Bonzai” Bee Jr., who disappeared from Pekin in November 2016. Brackett was recently paroled from the Illinois Department of Corrections on unrelated burglary and theft convictions.
According to a probable cause statement filed in Tazewell County Circuit Court, Brackett is accused of strangling Bonzai and hiding his remains on a rural property off Illinois Route 29 — a property Brackett was responsible for maintaining. The boy’s skeletal remains were discovered there in July 2017 by a man mowing his lawn.
Investigators say Bonzai ran from a truancy officer on November 16, 2016, and went to Brackett’s home — a place he was known to go when he skipped school. Despite the significant age gap, the two were described as friends.
The evidence against Brackett is extensive. His cell phone data placed him in the area on the day Bonzai disappeared — contradicting his claim that he had left town to look for work. Phone records also show his device pinged within 30 feet of where the body was hidden on multiple occasions between November 2016 and July 2017. Before police could speak with him after the remains were found, Brackett had been searching “how long does DNA last on ropes?” and “what do you do if you are a suspect in murder?” Ropes found at his home appeared to match those found with Bonzai’s remains, along with restraints associated with sexual activity. A woman who lived with Brackett told investigators he was attracted to younger children and that she believed she had witnessed him inappropriately touch Bonzai.
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Brackett later fled Illinois. He was tracked to a homeless encampment in Maine, where he was observed watching children at a playground. When arrested by Bangor police, he told them he had been planning to flee to Ireland to start a new life.
First-degree murder carries a possible 20 to 60-year prison term. Concealment of a homicide carries up to 10 years. Brackett is scheduled to appear in Tazewell County court Thursday for a probable cause and detention hearing.
Pekin Police Chief Seth Raney called the investigation the most intensive case in department history in terms of manpower. He was joined at Wednesday’s press conference by the Tazewell County coroner, state’s attorney, sheriff, and members of the Illinois State Police.
Bonzai deserved better. His community never stopped fighting for him — and today, that fight took a major step forward.
This is a developing story…..