Editing 1997 Roby standoff (section)

== Background ==
'''Shirley Ann Allen''' (born 1946–47) is a retired [[nurse]] who lived in a two-story farmhouse in Roby, an [[unincorporated area]] of [[Christian County, Illinois]], approximately 20 miles southeast of [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]]. In 1989, Allen's husband, John, died of [[pancreatic cancer]] in her living room, leaving her alone. His death deeply affected her, and she began exhibiting severe [[paranoia]], believing she was being watched by [[helicopter]]s that spoke to her and that items in her house kept moving or disappearing.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

Allen's family became increasingly concerned with her [[delusion]]s and erratic behavior. On [[Labor Day]] 1997, Allen's mother and sister tried to visit her but were rebuffed; when a concerned friend tried to help them, she threatened to "blow his head off". Convinced she needed psychiatric care, Allen's family asked the [[district attorney]] for help, and the court ordered Allen into involuntary commitment in Springfield.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

Allen supporters, including one of her close friends, claim that Allen's mental decline had been exaggerated by her family and that they sought her institutionalization to gain ownership over her 47-acre property, which contained two oil wells.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}