Episode Details

Family, friends, and the Kewanee community continue their search for answers almost a year after Catrelle Reed’s disappearance and murder. Zaffery Reed joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the loss of his brother and the ten months of no answers in Catrelle's murder. Catrelle, a dedicated father, friend, and worker, vanished from his driveway last May; his glasses were left behind, and his vehicle was found abandoned nearby. Zaffery said that Catrelle needed glasses to see, so he wouldn't have left without his glasses. His body was later located in a wooded area off Highway 81, with investigators confirming homicide. Loved ones hope that by keeping Catrelle's story in the public eye, someone will come forward with information. The Illinois State Police remain in charge of the investigation, and Reed’s brother, Zaffery, urges anyone with information to call ISP Zone 2 Special Agent Walt Willis at 309-948-4818 or email ISP.CRIMETIPS@illinois.gov. Every tip could be key to helping the family and bringing justice. Community marches and memorials are planned to honor his memory.

So, tell us a little bit about Catrelle. Who was he? "Of course, that's my brother, my life, my better half, man, but he was just a father; he worked, drove semis, fished, he's real big on family. He'd give you anything, and he was in a point of trying to better his life, finding his Lord. That's where he was at; that's where we both was at, that's where we, you know, trying to change. But he was a real good person, though, you know, like, just kind, and like I said, he'd give you anything, you know what I'm saying?"

So, he was missing for about a week. How did you guys handle the search for Catrelle during that week and just the waiting? "Man, I just, all I could do, man, was just, I can't even, man, all I could do, man, was just keep praying and hoping to God, man, and that was, like, the worst time of my life, man, that week, like, the worst time, man, like, you just didn't know what to do, man."

Hear Zaffery talk about his brother and the pain he and his family have felt since Catrelle's death almost a year ago. 

Background: On May 22, 2025, Catrelle Reed, 39, didn't show up to his job as a truck driver. His glasses and the contents of his lunch box were found on the ground in his yard. His vehicle was found abandoned around a block away from his home. His phone was found on the ground near the old boiler shop property. Catrelle was reported missing to the Kewanee Police on May 22nd. Family and friends organized grid searches around his home and on roads leaving town. Authorities conducted investigations and conducted searches based on tips. On May 30th, family and friends received news regarding a body discovered in a wooded area on Highway 81 outside Kewanee that could be Catrelle. An autopsy on June 2nd confirmed the identity of the person found as Catrelle and the manner of death as homicide.