A man who admitted to sexually assaulting and murdering a 3-year-old girl in Illinois in 2004 has died in a state prison, according to state records. Scott Eby, aged 52, an inmate at Menard Correctional Center, passed away on Thursday. This information was confirmed by an online inmate notification system.
The case involving the death of Riley Fox, whose body was found in a creek near her home, drew national attention. Her father was originally charged in the case. Kevin Fox spent eight months in jail before DNA evidence proved his innocence. Earlier this year, he died in a car accident in Arkansas.
Authorities have not disclosed further details regarding the circumstances of Eby’s death. The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office confirmed his passing to news outlets but did not provide more information. A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Corrections did not respond to requests for comment.
In 2010, Eby, at that time a convicted sex offender, admitted to abducting Riley Fox from her home in Wilmington, sexually assaulting her, and drowning her in a creek. Wilmington is located about 97 kilometers (60 miles) from Chicago.
Authorities identified Eby through DNA evidence collected at the crime scene and other clues, including a pair of shoes with his name that were retrieved from the water.
In a statement released on Sunday, Kathleen Zellner, former attorney for Kevin Fox, said Eby’s death was “a measure of justice for Riley.” She remarked, “It is ironic that both Kevin Fox and Scott Eby died in 2023. Kevin’s death was a terrible tragedy for him and his family. He was a gentle and kind man who loved his children above all else.”
The parents of Riley Fox received over $8 million in damages after accusing Will County investigators of evidence tampering.
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