Couple indicted on charges connected to death of missing Champaign County woman

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY — A Champaign County couple will face criminal charges stemming from the death of a woman who was reported missing hours before her body was discovered.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Missing Champaign County woman found dead; 2 arrested on charges, including murder

A Champaign County grand jury indicted Valerie Rider, 52, and Rodney Rider Sr. 54, both of St. Paris on charges connected to the death of Whitney Hostler last week, according to the county’s prosecutor’s office.

Valerie was indicted on eight charges including murder, aggravated murder, gross abuse of a corpse and others, a prosecutor’s office spokesperson said in a media release.

Rodney was indicted on five charges including tampering with evidence, obstructing justice, gross abuse of a corpse, and possessing criminal tools.

Hostler was reported missing Oct. 2, after family members said she was not in contact with them, investigators previously told News Center 7. Hostler’s body was discovered in a wooded ravine near Kiser Lake Road just hours after she was reported missing.

The Riders were arrested on charges Oct. 3 stemming from Hostler’s death.

Prosecutors previously said the Riders were the parents of a long-time boyfriend of Hostler, and they had a child together.

The arraignments for the Riders has yet to be scheduled.

Cox Media Group