Kendra M Ardery, 29
West Frankfort, Franklin County, Illinois
August 8, 2019
Kendra Ardery was reported missing August 8, 2019 after Kendra sent her mother a text message about 4:00 A.M. stating that someone was chasing her. Kendra was never seen or heard from again. Her mother then spoke to her roommate, 46 year old Thomas Dean McCoy who told her he gave Kendra $200 to take a bus and was headed to Florida to reunite with her mother. Her mother knew that couldn't have been; Kendra would have told her she was coming home. August 9, 2019 her mother filed an official missing persons report.
Kendra was staying with McCoy at his residence on the 200 block of North Gardner Street in West Frankfort.
August 12, 2019, McCoy showed the West Frankfort Detectives where he left Kendra's lifeless body. After allegedly killing her, he drove her body in his gray SUV near Angelville Road in Williamson County. Kendra’s body was found on Angelville Road just south of Meadowlark Road in tall grass under a tree. McCoy told detectives he allegedly killed Kendra inflicting physical trauma to her head and neck between August 8, 2019 and August 10, 2019. He then had sex with her corpse. He told Detectives he had an on-again off-again relationship with Kendra. It was reported that he was married and he had just had a fight with his wife prior to Kendra’s murder which may be what prompted his actions.
He was charged by Franklin County with two counts of First Degree Murder and concealing a homicidal death and abuse of a corpse. His bond was at five million dollars.
KFVS News in West reported that McCoy complained of chest pains and was admitted to a hospital. Once released he was taken directly to the Williamson County Jail.
It was reported that McCoy had video surveillance at his residence. This had not been confirmed.
Kendra was cremated. Her five children will forever be with Kendra’s mother, all living in Florida. They seem happy to be with grandma. They are such beautiful and young children. They know what happened to their mom. Grandma reports consistently of their good and bad days.
COURT INFORMATION:
Franklin County, Illinois Courthouse
On November 15, 2022, McCoy was given a plea deal to one count of murder, and sentenced to thirty years. He was admitted in to the Menard Correctional Center on November 23, 2022. He will be eligible for parole on August 12 2049, and his projected discharge date is set for August 12, 2052.
This will never justify taking Kendra's life, or taking her away from her mother, or her six children, and other family members and loved ones. We pray that this will keep others safe, and give some form of peace to her loved ones.
Rest in peace dear Kendra.