St. Paris woman guilty of murdering Champaign County woman who was reported missing

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY — The St. Paris woman charged with killing the Champaign County woman whose body was found in a wooded ravine in the fall was found guilty last night.

Valerie Rider, 52, was found guilty on murder, felonious assault, gross abuse of a corpse and possessing criminal tools. She was found not guilty of aggravated murder.

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

Valerie Rider had been accused in the killing of Whitney Hostler Hostler, who 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.

Rodney Rider, the co-defendant in the case, previously pled guilty to tampering with evidence, obstructing justice and possessing criminal tools. He’s set for sentencing on March 8 at 1:15 p.m.

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

Valerie Rider will be sentenced on April 1.

Cox Media Group