12/20/2019 - Report #705 - Victims: Shari A. Yates, John E. McMillian Jr., and Andrew J. Brooks - Location: Bethalto, IL

MCS Report #705

Requesting Agency: Bethalto Police Department

Date of Activation: 12/20/2019

Commander and Department: Lt. Brian Koberna, Madison County Sheriff’s Department

Deputy Report Officer and Department: Capt. Jesse Phillips, Shiloh PD

Deputy Report Officer and Department: Sgt. Jeremy Hunter, Granite City PD

Victims: Shari Ann Yates, John E. McMillian Jr., and Andrew J. Brooks

Suspects: Brady Kane Witcher and Brittany Nicole McMillan

Classification: Homicide

The Bethalto Police Department requested the assistance of the Major Case Squad in investigating the deaths of Shari Yates, John McMillian, and Andrew Brooks. On 12-19-2019 at around 11:02pm, the Bethalto Police Department received a request from the Hazelwood, MO Police Department to conduct a welfare check in the 300 block of Mill Street, Bethalto, IL. Upon checking the residence officers observed a deceased subject inside the residence. A subsequent check of the residence revealed there were two additional deceased subjects inside the residence. The deceased individuals were identified as Shari Yates (age 59), her son Andrew Brooks (age 30), and John McMillian Jr (age 32).

As a result of this investigation, the following charges were issued in this case:

  • Brady Witcher (age 41) - 1st Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking and Unlawful Possession of Weapons by a Felon - No Bond Warrant

  • Brittany McMillan (age 28) - 1st Degree Murder, Armed Robbery and Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking - No Bond Warrant

Press Conference 12-21-2019

PastKathy Effan