Will County Gazette

On January 1, 2020, Steger Police Department responded to an anonymous 911 call at a residence on Chicago Road. Inside, officers found Ryan Connell, aged 28, unresponsive with knife wounds and later pronounced dead at the scene.

Police investigations revealed that Richard Proctor hosted a New Year’s party attended by Connell and others. Witnesses reported Connell was heavily intoxicated and fell asleep in a recliner. Proctor was seen leaving and returning to the residence via video surveillance before departing again.

Proctor fled to a relative's house where his sweater was recovered with Connell’s blood. A knife with Connell's blood was also found bent nearly 90 degrees at the crime scene. It emerged that Proctor’s girlfriend left shortly after him, picked up by an acquaintance who called law enforcement for a welfare check.

After his arrest, Proctor allegedly attempted to hire someone to murder his girlfriend, the sole eyewitness. An inmate informed authorities of this plan, which involved contacting a Special Agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Proctor now faces a mandatory prison sentence ranging from 20 to 60 years.

State’s Attorney Glasgow praised Assistant State’s Attorneys Alexandria Molesky, Aristotelis “Telly” Theodorou, Sarah Romero; Victim Witness Advocate Mallory Magee; Administrative Professional Danna Thayer; IT Specialist Albert Bailey; Steger Deputy Police Chief Peter Fajman; Detective Alex Farkas; Sergeant Jordan Lane; and members of the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force for their dedication.