Thanksgiving Day Tragedy: A Tale of Love, Betrayal and Murder in Farmersville, Illinois

Farmersville: The Tragic Saga of a Thanksgiving Shooting

On the afternoon of Thanksgiving Day in 2021, the small village of Farmersville, Illinois, became the backdrop for a tragic incident that shook the community. Nanette Stuiber, a close friend of Leslie Reeves, sat anxiously in her car as emergency responders arrived at a house where Reeves had been on a first date. The excitement of the night before quickly turned to horror when Stuiber learned that her friend had been murdered.

A Night Full of Hope

Leslie Reeves had been thrilled about her first date with Chris Smith, a man she met online. According to her friend, “She was extremely excited. She thought it might be a really good connection.” The previous night seemed promising. But Stuiber became increasingly worried when she couldn’t reach Reeves and decided to call 911 for a welfare check.

A Shocking Discovery

As authorities arrived on the scene, they found Chris Smith barely conscious. Unfortunately, they discovered Reeves’ body in the living room, having been shot in the head. The condition of the home told a disturbing story. Crime scene investigator Josh Easton recounted, “There was blood everywhere … from corner to corner in the kitchen.” Evidence showed that a struggle may have taken place, but no weapon was initially found, leading investigators to suspect a third party.

Unveiling the Victims’ Lives

Chris Smith, a 48-year-old divorced father known for his gardening skills and community involvement, was in critical condition. His family was completely blindsided by the violence. Sharon Costanza, Smith’s mother, said, “I think Tiki protected Chris,” referring to his dog, who was with him during the harrowing hours after the shooting.

Meanwhile, Reeves, a divorced mother of two, had a master’s degree in engineering but chose to teach Pilates. Notably, friends disclosed that she had been dealing with issues involving her former boyfriend, Robert Tarr, who she sought to distance herself from shortly before her death.

Investigators Shift Focus

As news of the murder spread, Tarr became a person of interest. He denied any wrongdoing when questioned by investigators, but inconsistencies in his story quickly emerged. Deputies found he had left home twice that night, contrary to his initial claims of being home the whole time. His daughter, Shelby, confirmed that he had left the house, which contradicted his statements.

Crucial Evidence Links Tarr

Authorities were gathering evidence against Tarr. They obtained a warrant to search his home, but the real breakthrough came when detectives found a gun linked to the murder after a neighbor informed them about a suspicious phone call Tarr made. The police retrieved a Ziploc bag containing a Springfield Hellcat 9 mm pistol and ammunition that matched the shells found at the crime scene.

Trial and Sentencing

In April 2024, Bobby Tarr went to trial. Prosecutors painted a picture of a man unable to accept that Reeves was seeing someone new and who committed violence to maintain control. Evidence including searches on his phone for Chris Smith’s social media profiles and his activities around the night of the murder were pivotal. They argued that Tarr followed Reeves to Farmersville on that fateful night, ultimately leading to her death and Smith’s injuries.

While the defense pointed out the lack of physical evidence directly linking Tarr to the scene, the jury found him guilty of first-degree murder and attempted murder. In August, he received a sentence of 85 years in prison, ensuring he would not escape the consequences of his actions.

Aftermath for the Victims

As the investigation and trial unfolded, Chris Smith was fighting for his life after suffering a gunshot wound to the head. Although he survived, he faced a long recovery journey, dealing with paralysis and emotional scars from the event. “I’m half the man I used to be, but I’m trying to get it back as hard as I can,” Smith expressed about reclaiming his life.

Reeves’ friends and family are now focused on keeping her memory alive while advocating for domestic violence awareness. Stuiber stated, “If it can happen to her, it could happen to anyone. So we all need to be careful.”

This tragic story serves as a reminder of the impacts of domestic violence, urging everyone to seek help and rise against abusive behaviors, ensuring that the lives lost are not forgotten.