Sterling Man Sought In Connection With Multiple Homicides

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jul 1, 2008 5:25PM

Nicholas Sheley of Sterling, Illinois is wanted by Illinois State Police in connection to eight recent murders in Illinois and Missouri. A $25,000 reward has been offered for his arrest. Sheley is considered a "person of interest" in a quadruple homicide in Rock Falls, Illinois as well as a murder in Galesburg, Illinois and two homicides in St. Louis suburb Festus, Missouri.

On Monday, the bodies of two men, a woman and a child were discovered in the apartment after a well-being check in Rock Falls. Police wouldn't say who made the request for the check, but they believe one of the victims also is connected to 93-year-old Russell Reed, a Sterling man whose body was found stuffed in a trunk last week.

While Sheley hasn't been charged in connection to any of the deaths, he does face a warrant for his arrest in connection to a mid-June home invasion. According to state police, Sheley was last seen on Monday in the Collinsville, Illinois area. Sheley has a lengthy criminal record and, according to his wife, a long history of drug abuse.