A 57-year-old Zion man has been charged with murdering 28-year-old Army veteran Cory Rhinehart, who was reported missing by his family in March, police announced Friday evening.
Vincent C. Bevly, 57, of Zion, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with Rhinehart’s death. The Zion Police Department said that Rhinehart was allegedly murdered by Bevly before his family reported him missing on March 18.
No additional details have been released yet. Zion Police Chief Stephen Dumyahn has spoke with family members of Rhinehart and informed them of the arrest.
“This arrest is the culmination of a long, detailed and complex investigation that involved hundreds of man-hours by Zion Police officers and detectives and members of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force,” police said in a statement released late Friday evening.
“The Zion Police Department and Lake County Major Crime Task Force recognize the length of the investigation has resulted in a prolonged strain on Cory’s family, and the community as a whole. While we believe it was necessary in order to produce this outcome, we extend our deepest condolences to Cory’s family for their loss and their suffering during this time,” police said in the statement.
Family members reported Rhinehart, who was an Army veteran employed at a nursing home in Gurnee, missing after he mysteriously disappeared on March 18.
They last saw him when he was leaving for work at 9 a.m. wearing black hospital scrubs, black Converse Chuck Taylor shoes and a Black Pea coat.
Zion Police Chief Steve Dumyahn said that Rhinehart called 911 on March 15 at 8 p.m. from an apartment in the 2100 block of Gabriel Avenue. He hung up before dispatchers were able to talk with him. Police were able to track the location of the 911 call but no one was inside the apartment when they arrived.
Officers found human blood on the floor, walls and door, Dumyahn added.
Bevly was arrested on a $5 million warrant and will be taken to bond court on Saturday.
This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.