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The murder of Amy Schulz remains one of the most disturbing true crime cases in Illinois history.

On a warm summer evening in 1987, 10-year-old Amy Schulz left her home in the small town of Kell, Illinois for what should have been a short walk.

She never made it back.

Within hours, a quiet community of fewer than 300 people would be pulled into a frantic search for a missing child, one that would end in tragedy and spark a brutal murder investigation.

In this episode of This Feels Criminal, we explore the disturbing case of Amy Schulz, the investigation that followed her murder, and the suspect whose strange behavior hundreds of miles away would eventually lead investigators to the truth.

Listen to the Full Episode

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In this episode we break down:

The night Amy disappeared
The disturbing discovery investigators made the next morning
The evidence that led police to a suspect
How authorities ultimately connected the killer to the crime

A Quiet Illinois Town

Kell, Illinois was the kind of town where neighbors knew each other and children ran freely through the streets.

Amy Schulz lived there with her father Dennis, her two brothers, and her stepmother. According to her father, Amy was fearless and determined, the kind of kid who loved keeping up with her older brothers.

On July 1, 1987, it seemed like an ordinary summer night.

Amy’s brother Ryan had gone out searching for the family dog, Biscuit. When the dog returned home on its own, Amy’s father asked her to grab a flashlight and go find her brother to tell him the dog had come back.

It was a short walk.

Just a few minutes.

But Amy never returned home.

A Father’s Worst Fear

About thirty minutes later, Ryan returned home alone.

He hadn’t seen Amy.

Her father immediately began searching the streets of Kell, driving around town and asking neighbors if anyone had seen his daughter.

Several people had spotted Amy walking earlier that evening.

But no one knew where she had gone.

Soon, police were called and the search for Amy Schulz began.

Roadblocks were set up, search dogs were brought in, and members of the small community joined investigators in looking for the missing 10-year-old.

But by the next morning, the search would take a devastating turn.

A Horrifying Discovery

On the morning of July 2, an oil field worker made a disturbing discovery near an access road just outside of town.

Lying in a nearby field was the body of a young girl.

It was Amy Schulz.

Investigators quickly realized they were dealing with an extremely violent crime.

Evidence was collected from the scene, including tire tracks, hairs, and Amy’s clothing found nearby. Despite the brutality of the attack, there were very few witnesses and almost no clear leads.

But one person had noticed something unusual.

A vehicle driving near Amy shortly before she disappeared.

A Suspicious Vehicle

During the investigation, a witness told police she had seen Amy walking down Jefferson Street around 9:00 PM.

At about the same time, a light brown or tan car with long rectangular taillights had passed through the area.

Investigators believed the driver of that vehicle could be responsible for Amy’s murder.

But despite multiple tips, the case stalled.

For months, police were no closer to finding Amy’s killer.

Until a strange discovery was made more than 1,300 miles away.

A Chilling Discovery in Montana

Three months after Amy’s murder, park rangers in Glacier National Park in Montana found a suspicious vehicle parked in a restricted area.

Inside the car was a massive man sleeping in the backseat.

The vehicle had Illinois license plates.

And the man behind the wheel would soon become the focus of investigators in Amy Schulz’s murder case.

His name was Cecil Sutherland.

What authorities uncovered about Sutherland, and the evidence linking him to Amy’s murder, would eventually bring investigators closer to justice.

But the case was far from simple.

Hear the Full Investigation

The story of how investigators connected Cecil Sutherland to Amy Schulz’s murder involves forensic evidence, strange behavior across multiple states, and a trial that would stretch on for years.

We break down the entire investigation in this episode of This Feels Criminal.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here:

Sources

Amy Center Foundation

On the Case with Paula Zahn: From Dusk to Darkness

People v. Sutherland: Supreme Court of Illinois

In Memory of Amy Schulz

Amy’s father later created The Amy Center, an organization that helps children who have experienced abuse receive support and care.

While nothing can undo the tragedy of Amy’s murder, her memory continues to inspire efforts to protect other children.

Amy Schulz Murder Case FAQ

Before you keep reading, there ARE spoilers below. If you prefer, take a listen to this episode here:

Who was Amy Schulz?

Amy Schulz was a 10-year-old girl from Kell, Illinois who was murdered on July 1, 1987 after leaving her home to look for her brother. Her death shocked the small rural community and led to a multi-state investigation.

Who killed Amy Schulz?

Cecil Sutherland was convicted of the kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder of Amy Schulz. Investigators linked him to the crime through forensic evidence and witness statements.

Where did the Amy Schulz murder happen?

Amy Schulz lived in Kell, Illinois. Her body was discovered in a rural field near an oil lease road just outside of town.

Is Cecil Sutherland still alive?

After being convicted and sentenced to death, Cecil Sutherland’s sentence was later commuted to life in prison without parole when Illinois abolished the death penalty in 2011.