Description
Victim: Deanna Gillean (Gillian)
Perp: Robert (Bob) Donald Ladewig
Grand Rapids, MI
October 19, 1992: Deanna Gillean was reported missing after last being seen on 17 October.
October 20-27, 1992: Any news reports about missing Grand Rapids girl Deanna Gillean
October 27, 1992: Corpse of Deanna Gillean was discovered at an apple orchard near North Terrace Lane.
October 28, 1992: Corpse of Deanna Gillean was identified by police
November 3, 1992: Tipster reports seeing suspicious red stations wagon near where Deanna Gillian’s corpse was found.
May 8, 1993: Grand Haven police arrest Robert Ladewig for trying to kidnap young girls. At the time, Ladewig lives at 885 Emerald Ave. NE in Grand Rapids.
May 14, 1993: Grand Haven police send bulletin identifying convicted sex offender Robert Ladewig, who drove a maroon station wagon and lived 2 miles from Deanna. Not considered serious suspect in Deanna's death.
Oct. 14, 1993: Woman tells police she overheard Francis Littell say: "She wouldn't do me so I did her." Littell, a friend of Deanna's brother, denies statement.
Dec. 8, 1994: Convicted felon Gordon Bush tells police he knows killer, eventually implicates Francis Littell.
Jan. 5, 1995: Gordon Bush leads detectives to apartment on Plainfield Avenue NE, where he says crime started.
July 1999: New detectives get investigative subpoena for Littell, who denies involvement, says he spends $10,000 on an attorney.
October 21, 2001: Local news media reports Gillean family pleads for help solving Deanna Gilelan's murde rinvestigation
March 2004: One-man grand jury asked to investigate cold cases, including Deanna Gillean murder.
July 9, 2004: Dale VanOcker, friend of Littell, thrown in jail for contempt after 10 minutes before the grand jury. Spends 20 days behind bars.
July 22, 2004: Gordon Bush admits before grand jury he made everything up. Prosecutor, detectives start over.
Aug. 16, 2004: Ladewig testifies first time before grand jury. Denies murder.
Aug. 26, 2004: Prosecutor offers Ladewig a plea deal. Ladewig testifies, admits murder, gives no details. Judge, prosecutor and police wonder if he's making it up.
Sept. 1: Ladewig testifies again, provides details linking him to murder. Describes abducting Gillean at Frosty Boy, 1757 Plainfield Ave. NE and ordering her to duck down while he drove past a gasoline station. Says he strangled her with his bare hands at the site where her body was found.
Sept. 2: Ladewig pleads guilty to second-degree murder.
Oct. 19: Ladewig sentenced to 25 to 60 years in prison with potential first parole date of 2013.
August 26, 2004: Robert Ladewig pleads guilty to murder of Deanna Gillean.
