She tried to get help from DHS again, but placement in a psychiatric hospital for Logan was delayed. Despite Rutan’s accusations, DHS workers saw Logan as normal and well-behaved.

On June 22nd, Logan disappeared. His roommate heard him crying during the night, but Rutan said he was sick and in the basement. Rutan then claimed DHS took him, which was false. She seemed relieved he was gone, tried to get rid of his belongings, and gave conflicting stories to everyone.

Logan’s grandparents reported him missing. Rutan lied to the police, saying he was with her traveling brother. But the brother hadn’t seen Logan in over a year.

Police found Logan’s blood, candle wax, and tape with hair in the basement. Rutan’s car had rope, drain cleaner, and plastic sheeting – items she’d borrowed under false pretenses.

Justin, Logan’s brother, said he, Logan, and Rutan went to the countryside. Logan was lifeless in the car; Rutan had a shovel and plastic. She left Justin in the car and returned hours later without Logan, saying he “went where bad boys go.”

Rutan moved away, never contacted police about Logan, and refused to cooperate with the investigation. Witnesses described Rutan’s abuse and neglect of Logan, and one boyfriend even said she’d talked about killing her children years before.

A sanitation worker found a heavy, plastic-wrapped suitcase that smelled like a dead body, and it disappeared around the same time as a similar suitcase belonging to the roommate.

In 2006, Rutan was charged with first-degree murder. The case relied heavily on circumstantial evidence, including Justin’s testimony and statements from Rutan’s ex-boyfriends. She was convicted in 2007 and sentenced to life in prison without parole.