Professor P.S. Ruckman & Teen Sons Found Dead In Apparent Triple Murder-Suicide

Long-time Rock Valley College and Northern Illinois University professor, P.S. Ruckman, was named along with two family members as those found dead at a residence in the 4600 block of Chandon Woods Drive in Cherry Valley, IL., on Saturday, reported the Winnebago County Coroner.

Ruckman, aka, Peter S. Ruckman, was found dead along with his two sons 12-year-old John Ruckman and 14-year-old Christopher Ruckman.

The Winnebago County Coroner said Sunday all three were victims of gunshot wounds. At this time, it is still unclear who did the shooting.

Winnebago County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the home around 7 a.m. Saturday for a welfare check. During the check, deputies found three dead bodies in different rooms of the home.

Ruckman has been a professor at Rock Valley College since 1998 and was in his second stint as an instructor at Northern Illinois University.

“The Rock Valley College community is devastated by the news of the tragic deaths of Peter Ruckman, and his two children,” said Dr. Doug Jensen, President of Rock Valley College in a news release. “Our deepest sympathies go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of Professor Ruckman and his children at this difficult time.” source

Winnebago County Court records show Ruckman, and his ex-wife Heidi, who police say called in the initial welfare check Saturday, filed for divorce in July of last year. The divorce was finalized a month later and last were in court in November, finalizing a parenting plan with the court.

The incident is still under investigation.