Suspect Arrested in 2016 Pekin Homicide of 13-Year-Old

Keith Brackett charged in death of Robert Bee after over a decade of investigation

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:44am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered piece of glass reflecting a bright flash of light, conceptually representing the harsh realities of a long-unsolved homicide case.A decade-long investigation culminates in an arrest, exposing the gritty realities of cold case homicides.Pekin Today

A suspect has been arrested in the 2016 killing of 13-year-old Robert Bee of Pekin, Illinois. Keith Brackett was taken into custody and charged with the homicide after a lengthy investigation that spanned over a decade.

Why it matters

The arrest in this cold case brings closure to the Bee family and the Pekin community, which has waited years for justice. It also highlights the tenacity of law enforcement in pursuing leads and utilizing all investigative techniques to solve complex homicides, even those that go unsolved for many years.

The details

Keith Brackett was arrested and charged with the homicide of Robert Bee, who was 13 years old at the time of his death in 2016. Authorities stated they used every available investigative technique over the past 10 years to build a case against Brackett.

  • Robert Bee was killed in 2016 in Pekin, Illinois.
  • Keith Brackett was arrested and charged in the case in April 2026, over a decade later.

The players

Keith Brackett

The suspect arrested and charged with the 2016 homicide of Robert Bee.

Robert Bee

The 13-year-old victim who was killed in Pekin, Illinois in 2016.

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What they’re saying

“They showed great tenacity through the last decade to make sure that no stone was unturned and that every investigative technique that we had available to us at the time and since then was investigated.”

— Mike Kramer, General assignment reporter

What’s next

Authorities stated the case will now proceed through the criminal justice system, with Brackett facing trial for the 2016 homicide.

The takeaway

This arrest demonstrates the persistence of law enforcement in solving cold cases, even those that remain unsolved for many years. It provides closure for the victim's family and community, while also highlighting the importance of exhausting all investigative avenues to bring justice.