Published: January 27, 2009 11:36 pm         

Chrisman, Ill., killings reach first anniversary

CHRISMAN, Ill. — Friends and neighbors of two men shot to death in Chrisman, Ill., last year are offering a reward for information leading to the guilty party’s conviction.

It is one year ago today that an Edgar County Sheriff’s deputy found the bodies of Mark E. Prasse, 32 and Ryan M. Riddell, 32, shot to death in Prasse’s Gravevine Road home outside Chrisman.

Illinois State Police Sgt. William Emery said investigators can’t release much information on the case other than the posting of $25,000 in reward money for information leading to the shooter’s successful prosecution.

“I know there are still a lot of unanswered questions out there, but that’s all we can give,” he said Tuesday, noting that investigators are following up all leads.

“The one-year anniversary triggers the memory of people, so extra agents will be available to handle, and follow up, on any new information we receive," ISP’s Zone 5 commander, Capt. Jill Rizz, stated in a media release.

Detective Rick Kennedy of the Sheriff’s Department said individuals with information on the case should call the ISP’s 24-hour tip line at (217) 278-5004.

Callers are advised they may leave an anonymous message or may include their name and phone number to be contacted by an investigator.

Chrisman is about 35 miles northwest of Terre Haute and 15 miles straight north of Paris, Ill.

Edgar County Coroner Peter Templeton has confirmed the cause of deaths to have been gunshots.

Riddell, who lived in Villa Grove, Ill., and Prasse had been friends for about 10 years, according to information released by police at the time of the shooting.

Riddell’s mother reportedly called the Sheriff’s Department to request a check on Prasse’s home to see if her son was there, at which point the deputy discovered the bodies, police said at the onset of the investigation.



Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.



Tip line

• A 24-hour tip line has been established for information involving the Mark E. Prasse and Ryan M. Riddell homicide investigation.

Individuals with information pertaining to the investigation can call (217) 278-5004.

Callers may leave an anonymous message or their name and phone number to be contacted by an investigator.

Friends and local business owners have established a fund in the amount of $25,000 to serve as reward money for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the shootings.