diff --git a/src/app/main.cpp b/src/app/main.cpp
index 81bb30a3786..2446f9b7024 100644
--- a/src/app/main.cpp
+++ b/src/app/main.cpp
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@
 #include <utils/hostosinfo.h>
 #include <utils/launcherinterface.h>
 #include <utils/optional.h>
+#include <utils/processreaper.h>
 #include <utils/qtcsettings.h>
 #include <utils/temporarydirectory.h>
 
@@ -534,6 +535,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     QCoreApplication::setOrganizationName(QLatin1String(Core::Constants::IDE_SETTINGSVARIANT_STR));
     QGuiApplication::setApplicationDisplayName(Core::Constants::IDE_DISPLAY_NAME);
 
+    Utils::ProcessReaper processReaper;
     Utils::LauncherInterface::startLauncher();
     auto cleanup = qScopeGuard([] { Utils::LauncherInterface::stopLauncher(); });
 
diff --git a/src/libs/utils/CMakeLists.txt b/src/libs/utils/CMakeLists.txt
index e5292624a07..7cb7560940b 100644
--- a/src/libs/utils/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/libs/utils/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -121,6 +121,7 @@ add_qtc_library(Utils
     portlist.cpp portlist.h
     predicates.h
     processhandle.cpp processhandle.h
+    processreaper.cpp processreaper.h
     processutils.cpp processutils.h
     progressindicator.cpp progressindicator.h
     projectintropage.cpp projectintropage.h projectintropage.ui
diff --git a/src/libs/utils/launcherinterface.cpp b/src/libs/utils/launcherinterface.cpp
index a12ef6e4c5c..269e4393d73 100644
--- a/src/libs/utils/launcherinterface.cpp
+++ b/src/libs/utils/launcherinterface.cpp
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 #include "filepath.h"
 #include "launcherpackets.h"
 #include "launchersocket.h"
+#include "processreaper.h"
 #include "qtcassert.h"
 
 #include <QCoreApplication>
@@ -143,7 +144,7 @@ void LauncherInterfacePrivate::doStop()
     m_process->disconnect();
     m_socket->shutdown();
     m_process->waitForFinished(3000);
-    m_process->deleteLater();
+    ProcessReaper::reap(m_process);
     m_process = nullptr;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/plugins/coreplugin/reaper.cpp b/src/libs/utils/processreaper.cpp
similarity index 73%
rename from src/plugins/coreplugin/reaper.cpp
rename to src/libs/utils/processreaper.cpp
index 1932d60dba8..04a4f710f80 100644
--- a/src/plugins/coreplugin/reaper.cpp
+++ b/src/libs/utils/processreaper.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 /****************************************************************************
 **
-** Copyright (C) 2016 The Qt Company Ltd.
+** Copyright (C) 2021 The Qt Company Ltd.
 ** Contact: https://www.qt.io/licensing/
 **
 ** This file is part of Qt Creator.
@@ -23,29 +23,26 @@
 **
 ****************************************************************************/
 
-#include "reaper.h"
-#include "reaper_p.h"
-
-#include <utils/algorithm.h>
-#include <utils/qtcassert.h>
-#include <utils/qtcprocess.h>
+#include "processreaper.h"
+#include "qtcassert.h"
 
+#include <QCoreApplication>
 #include <QProcess>
 #include <QThread>
 #include <QTimer>
 
 using namespace Utils;
 
-namespace Core {
+namespace Utils {
 namespace Internal {
 
-static ProcessReapers *d = nullptr;
+static ProcessReaper *d = nullptr;
 
-class ProcessReaper final : public QObject
+class Reaper final : public QObject
 {
 public:
-    ProcessReaper(QtcProcess *p, int timeoutMs);
-    ~ProcessReaper() final;
+    Reaper(QProcess *p, int timeoutMs);
+    ~Reaper() final;
 
     int timeoutMs() const;
     bool isFinished() const;
@@ -53,28 +50,28 @@ public:
 
 private:
     mutable QTimer m_iterationTimer;
-    QtcProcess *m_process;
+    QProcess *m_process = nullptr;
     int m_emergencyCounter = 0;
     QProcess::ProcessState m_lastState = QProcess::NotRunning;
 };
 
-ProcessReaper::ProcessReaper(QtcProcess *p, int timeoutMs) : m_process(p)
+Reaper::Reaper(QProcess *p, int timeoutMs) : m_process(p)
 {
     d->m_reapers.append(this);
 
     m_iterationTimer.setInterval(timeoutMs);
     m_iterationTimer.setSingleShot(true);
-    connect(&m_iterationTimer, &QTimer::timeout, this, &ProcessReaper::nextIteration);
+    connect(&m_iterationTimer, &QTimer::timeout, this, &Reaper::nextIteration);
 
-    QMetaObject::invokeMethod(this, &ProcessReaper::nextIteration, Qt::QueuedConnection);
+    QMetaObject::invokeMethod(this, &Reaper::nextIteration, Qt::QueuedConnection);
 }
 
-ProcessReaper::~ProcessReaper()
+Reaper::~Reaper()
 {
     d->m_reapers.removeOne(this);
 }
 
-int ProcessReaper::timeoutMs() const
+int Reaper::timeoutMs() const
 {
     const int remaining = m_iterationTimer.remainingTime();
     if (remaining < 0)
@@ -83,12 +80,12 @@ int ProcessReaper::timeoutMs() const
     return remaining;
 }
 
-bool ProcessReaper::isFinished() const
+bool Reaper::isFinished() const
 {
     return !m_process;
 }
 
-void ProcessReaper::nextIteration()
+void Reaper::nextIteration()
 {
     QProcess::ProcessState state = m_process ? m_process->state() : QProcess::NotRunning;
     if (state == QProcess::NotRunning || m_emergencyCounter > 5) {
@@ -113,19 +110,23 @@ void ProcessReaper::nextIteration()
     ++m_emergencyCounter;
 }
 
-ProcessReapers::ProcessReapers()
+} // namespace Internal
+
+ProcessReaper::ProcessReaper()
 {
-    d = this;
+    QTC_ASSERT(Internal::d == nullptr, return);
+    Internal::d = this;
 }
 
-ProcessReapers::~ProcessReapers()
+ProcessReaper::~ProcessReaper()
 {
+    QTC_ASSERT(Internal::d == this, return);
     while (!m_reapers.isEmpty()) {
         int alreadyWaited = 0;
-        QList<ProcessReaper *> toDelete;
+        QList<Internal::Reaper *> toDelete;
 
         // push reapers along:
-        foreach (ProcessReaper *pr, m_reapers) {
+        for (Internal::Reaper *pr : qAsConst(m_reapers)) {
             const int timeoutMs = pr->timeoutMs();
             if (alreadyWaited < timeoutMs) {
                 const unsigned long toSleep = static_cast<unsigned long>(timeoutMs - alreadyWaited);
@@ -145,25 +146,30 @@ ProcessReapers::~ProcessReapers()
         toDelete.clear();
     }
 
-    d = nullptr;
+    Internal::d = nullptr;
 }
 
-} // namespace Internal
-
-namespace Reaper {
-
-void reap(QtcProcess *process, int timeoutMs)
+void ProcessReaper::reap(QProcess *process, int timeoutMs)
 {
     if (!process)
         return;
 
     QTC_ASSERT(QThread::currentThread() == process->thread(), return);
 
+    process->disconnect();
+    process->setParent(nullptr);
+    if (process->state() == QProcess::NotRunning) {
+        process->deleteLater();
+        return;
+    } else {
+        process->kill();
+    }
+
     // Neither can move object with a parent into a different thread
     // nor reaping the process with a parent makes any sense.
     process->setParent(nullptr);
-    if (process->thread() != qApp->thread()) {
-        process->moveToThread(qApp->thread());
+    if (process->thread() != QCoreApplication::instance()->thread()) {
+        process->moveToThread(QCoreApplication::instance()->thread());
         QMetaObject::invokeMethod(process, [process, timeoutMs] {
             reap(process, timeoutMs);
         }); // will be queued
@@ -172,9 +178,8 @@ void reap(QtcProcess *process, int timeoutMs)
 
     QTC_ASSERT(Internal::d, return);
 
-    new Internal::ProcessReaper(process, timeoutMs);
+    new Internal::Reaper(process, timeoutMs);
 }
 
-} // namespace Reaper
-} // namespace Core
+} // namespace Utils
 
diff --git a/src/plugins/coreplugin/reaper_p.h b/src/libs/utils/processreaper.h
similarity index 73%
rename from src/plugins/coreplugin/reaper_p.h
rename to src/libs/utils/processreaper.h
index 78140c0eba6..d26325b6f02 100644
--- a/src/plugins/coreplugin/reaper_p.h
+++ b/src/libs/utils/processreaper.h
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 /****************************************************************************
 **
-** Copyright (C) 2016 The Qt Company Ltd.
+** Copyright (C) 2021 The Qt Company Ltd.
 ** Contact: https://www.qt.io/licensing/
 **
 ** This file is part of Qt Creator.
@@ -25,25 +25,28 @@
 
 #pragma once
 
+#include "utils_global.h"
+
 #include <QList>
 
-namespace Core {
-namespace Internal {
+QT_BEGIN_NAMESPACE
+class QProcess;
+QT_END_NAMESPACE
 
-class CorePlugin;
-class ProcessReaper;
+namespace Utils {
 
-class ProcessReapers final
+namespace Internal { class Reaper; }
+
+class QTCREATOR_UTILS_EXPORT ProcessReaper final
 {
+public:
+    ProcessReaper();
+    ~ProcessReaper();
+
+    static void reap(QProcess *process, int timeoutMs = 500);
 private:
-    ~ProcessReapers();
-    ProcessReapers();
-
-    QList<ProcessReaper *> m_reapers;
-
-    friend class CorePlugin;
-    friend class ProcessReaper;
+    QList<Internal::Reaper *> m_reapers;
+    friend class Internal::Reaper;
 };
 
-} // namespace Internal
-} // namespace Core
+} // namespace Utils
diff --git a/src/libs/utils/qtcprocess.cpp b/src/libs/utils/qtcprocess.cpp
index 8d9ea7c508f..9d2e4945890 100644
--- a/src/libs/utils/qtcprocess.cpp
+++ b/src/libs/utils/qtcprocess.cpp
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@
 #include "launcherinterface.h"
 #include "launcherpackets.h"
 #include "launchersocket.h"
+#include "processreaper.h"
 #include "qtcassert.h"
 #include "stringutils.h"
 
@@ -278,86 +279,90 @@ class QProcessImpl : public ProcessInterface
 public:
     QProcessImpl(QObject *parent, ProcessMode processMode)
         : ProcessInterface(parent, processMode)
-        , m_process(parent)
+        , m_process(new ProcessHelper(parent))
     {
-        connect(&m_process, &QProcess::started,
+        connect(m_process, &QProcess::started,
                 this, &QProcessImpl::handleStarted);
-        connect(&m_process, QOverload<int, QProcess::ExitStatus>::of(&QProcess::finished),
+        connect(m_process, QOverload<int, QProcess::ExitStatus>::of(&QProcess::finished),
                 this, &ProcessInterface::finished);
-        connect(&m_process, &QProcess::errorOccurred,
+        connect(m_process, &QProcess::errorOccurred,
                 this, &ProcessInterface::errorOccurred);
-        connect(&m_process, &QProcess::readyReadStandardOutput,
+        connect(m_process, &QProcess::readyReadStandardOutput,
                 this, &ProcessInterface::readyReadStandardOutput);
-        connect(&m_process, &QProcess::readyReadStandardError,
+        connect(m_process, &QProcess::readyReadStandardError,
                 this, &ProcessInterface::readyReadStandardError);
     }
+    ~QProcessImpl() override
+    {
+        ProcessReaper::reap(m_process);
+    }
 
-    QByteArray readAllStandardOutput() override { return m_process.readAllStandardOutput(); }
-    QByteArray readAllStandardError() override { return m_process.readAllStandardError(); }
+    QByteArray readAllStandardOutput() override { return m_process->readAllStandardOutput(); }
+    QByteArray readAllStandardError() override { return m_process->readAllStandardError(); }
 
     void setProcessEnvironment(const QProcessEnvironment &environment) override
-    { m_process.setProcessEnvironment(environment); }
+    { m_process->setProcessEnvironment(environment); }
     void setWorkingDirectory(const QString &dir) override
-    { m_process.setWorkingDirectory(dir); }
+    { m_process->setWorkingDirectory(dir); }
     void start(const QString &program, const QStringList &arguments, const QByteArray &writeData) override
     {
         m_processStartHandler.setProcessMode(processMode());
         m_processStartHandler.setWriteData(writeData);
         if (isBelowNormalPriority())
-            m_processStartHandler.setBelowNormalPriority(&m_process);
-        m_processStartHandler.setNativeArguments(&m_process, nativeArguments());
+            m_processStartHandler.setBelowNormalPriority(m_process);
+        m_processStartHandler.setNativeArguments(m_process, nativeArguments());
         if (isLowPriority())
-            m_process.setLowPriority();
+            m_process->setLowPriority();
         if (isUnixTerminalDisabled())
-            m_process.setUnixTerminalDisabled();
-        m_process.start(program, arguments, m_processStartHandler.openMode());
-        m_processStartHandler.handleProcessStart(&m_process);
+            m_process->setUnixTerminalDisabled();
+        m_process->start(program, arguments, m_processStartHandler.openMode());
+        m_processStartHandler.handleProcessStart(m_process);
     }
     void terminate() override
-    { m_process.terminate(); }
+    { m_process->terminate(); }
     void kill() override
-    { m_process.kill(); }
+    { m_process->kill(); }
     void close() override
-    { m_process.close(); }
+    { m_process->close(); }
     qint64 write(const QByteArray &data) override
-    { return m_process.write(data); }
+    { return m_process->write(data); }
 
     void setStandardInputFile(const QString &fileName) override
-    { m_process.setStandardInputFile(fileName); }
+    { m_process->setStandardInputFile(fileName); }
     void setProcessChannelMode(QProcess::ProcessChannelMode mode) override
-    { m_process.setProcessChannelMode(mode); }
+    { m_process->setProcessChannelMode(mode); }
 
     QString program() const override
-    { return m_process.program(); }
+    { return m_process->program(); }
     QProcess::ProcessError error() const override
-    { return m_process.error(); }
+    { return m_process->error(); }
     QProcess::ProcessState state() const override
-    { return m_process.state(); }
+    { return m_process->state(); }
     qint64 processId() const override
-    { return m_process.processId(); }
+    { return m_process->processId(); }
     int exitCode() const override
-    { return m_process.exitCode(); }
+    { return m_process->exitCode(); }
     QProcess::ExitStatus exitStatus() const override
-    { return m_process.exitStatus(); }
+    { return m_process->exitStatus(); }
     QString errorString() const override
-    { return m_process.errorString(); }
+    { return m_process->errorString(); }
     void setErrorString(const QString &str) override
-    { m_process.setErrorString(str); }
+    { m_process->setErrorString(str); }
 
     bool waitForStarted(int msecs) override
-    { return m_process.waitForStarted(msecs); }
+    { return m_process->waitForStarted(msecs); }
     bool waitForReadyRead(int msecs) override
-    { return m_process.waitForReadyRead(msecs); }
+    { return m_process->waitForReadyRead(msecs); }
     bool waitForFinished(int msecs) override
-    { return m_process.waitForFinished(msecs); }
+    { return m_process->waitForFinished(msecs); }
 
 private:
     void handleStarted()
     {
-        m_processStartHandler.handleProcessStarted(&m_process);
+        m_processStartHandler.handleProcessStarted(m_process);
         emit started();
     }
-    ProcessHelper m_process;
+    ProcessHelper *m_process;
     ProcessStartHandler m_processStartHandler;
 };
 
diff --git a/src/libs/utils/utils-lib.pri b/src/libs/utils/utils-lib.pri
index 176fda8f03b..63053a82161 100644
--- a/src/libs/utils/utils-lib.pri
+++ b/src/libs/utils/utils-lib.pri
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ SOURCES += \
     $$PWD/json.cpp \
     $$PWD/portlist.cpp \
     $$PWD/processhandle.cpp \
+    $$PWD/processreaper.cpp \
     $$PWD/processutils.cpp \
     $$PWD/appmainwindow.cpp \
     $$PWD/basetreeview.cpp \
@@ -222,6 +223,7 @@ HEADERS += \
     $$PWD/runextensions.h \
     $$PWD/portlist.h \
     $$PWD/processhandle.h \
+    $$PWD/processreaper.h \
     $$PWD/processutils.h \
     $$PWD/appmainwindow.h \
     $$PWD/basetreeview.h \
diff --git a/src/libs/utils/utils.qbs b/src/libs/utils/utils.qbs
index a11d2d75ab9..8f6d3b40860 100644
--- a/src/libs/utils/utils.qbs
+++ b/src/libs/utils/utils.qbs
@@ -218,6 +218,8 @@ Project {
             "portlist.h",
             "processhandle.cpp",
             "processhandle.h",
+            "processreaper.cpp",
+            "processreaper.h",
             "processutils.cpp",
             "processutils.h",
             "progressindicator.cpp",
diff --git a/src/plugins/cmakeprojectmanager/cmakebuildsystem.cpp b/src/plugins/cmakeprojectmanager/cmakebuildsystem.cpp
index 82c909619ca..e7397c033ee 100644
--- a/src/plugins/cmakeprojectmanager/cmakebuildsystem.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/cmakeprojectmanager/cmakebuildsystem.cpp
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@
 #include <android/androidconstants.h>
 #include <coreplugin/icore.h>
 #include <coreplugin/progressmanager/progressmanager.h>
-#include <coreplugin/reaper.h>
 #include <cppeditor/cppeditorconstants.h>
 #include <cppeditor/cppprojectupdater.h>
 #include <cppeditor/generatedcodemodelsupport.h>
diff --git a/src/plugins/cmakeprojectmanager/cmakeprocess.cpp b/src/plugins/cmakeprojectmanager/cmakeprocess.cpp
index e9baa731f67..64e59109ddf 100644
--- a/src/plugins/cmakeprojectmanager/cmakeprocess.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/cmakeprojectmanager/cmakeprocess.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@
 #include "cmakeparser.h"
 
 #include <coreplugin/progressmanager/progressmanager.h>
-#include <coreplugin/reaper.h>
 #include <projectexplorer/buildsystem.h>
 #include <projectexplorer/projectexplorerconstants.h>
 #include <projectexplorer/taskhub.h>
@@ -57,11 +56,7 @@ CMakeProcess::CMakeProcess()
 
 CMakeProcess::~CMakeProcess()
 {
-    if (m_process) {
-        m_process->disconnect();
-        Core::Reaper::reap(m_process.release());
-    }
-
+    m_process.reset();
     m_parser.flush();
 
     if (m_future) {
diff --git a/src/plugins/coreplugin/CMakeLists.txt b/src/plugins/coreplugin/CMakeLists.txt
index 5c04a179e84..eabae35f2a3 100644
--- a/src/plugins/coreplugin/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/plugins/coreplugin/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -135,7 +135,6 @@ add_qtc_plugin(Core
     progressmanager/progressbar.cpp progressmanager/progressbar.h
     progressmanager/progressmanager.cpp progressmanager/progressmanager.h progressmanager/progressmanager_p.h
     progressmanager/progressview.cpp progressmanager/progressview.h
-    reaper.cpp reaper.h reaper_p.h
     rightpane.cpp rightpane.h
     settingsdatabase.cpp settingsdatabase.h
     shellcommand.cpp shellcommand.h
diff --git a/src/plugins/coreplugin/coreplugin.cpp b/src/plugins/coreplugin/coreplugin.cpp
index 916e3803dae..54de03300e8 100644
--- a/src/plugins/coreplugin/coreplugin.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/coreplugin/coreplugin.cpp
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@
 #include "iwizardfactory.h"
 #include "mainwindow.h"
 #include "modemanager.h"
-#include "reaper_p.h"
 #include "themechooser.h"
 
 #include <coreplugin/actionmanager/actionmanager.h>
@@ -96,13 +95,11 @@ CorePlugin::CorePlugin()
     qRegisterMetaType<Utils::CommandLine>();
     qRegisterMetaType<Utils::FilePath>();
     m_instance = this;
-    m_reaper = new ProcessReapers;
     setupSystemEnvironment();
 }
 
 CorePlugin::~CorePlugin()
 {
-    delete m_reaper;
     IWizardFactory::destroyFeatureProvider();
     Find::destroy();
 
diff --git a/src/plugins/coreplugin/coreplugin.h b/src/plugins/coreplugin/coreplugin.h
index 669244e767b..36a368c6c0f 100644
--- a/src/plugins/coreplugin/coreplugin.h
+++ b/src/plugins/coreplugin/coreplugin.h
@@ -44,7 +44,6 @@ namespace Internal {
 class EditMode;
 class MainWindow;
 class Locator;
-class ProcessReapers;
 
 class CorePlugin : public ExtensionSystem::IPlugin
 {
@@ -93,7 +92,6 @@ private:
     MainWindow *m_mainWindow = nullptr;
     EditMode *m_editMode = nullptr;
     Locator *m_locator = nullptr;
-    ProcessReapers *m_reaper = nullptr;
     Utils::Environment m_startupSystemEnvironment;
     Utils::EnvironmentItems m_environmentChanges;
 };
diff --git a/src/plugins/coreplugin/coreplugin.pro b/src/plugins/coreplugin/coreplugin.pro
index 5aeec3f716f..a16dbfa0388 100644
--- a/src/plugins/coreplugin/coreplugin.pro
+++ b/src/plugins/coreplugin/coreplugin.pro
@@ -54,7 +54,6 @@ SOURCES += corejsextensions.cpp \
     progressmanager/progressview.cpp \
     progressmanager/progressbar.cpp \
     progressmanager/futureprogress.cpp \
-    reaper.cpp \
     coreplugin.cpp \
     modemanager.cpp \
     basefilewizard.cpp \
@@ -161,8 +160,6 @@ HEADERS += corejsextensions.h \
     progressmanager/progressbar.h \
     progressmanager/futureprogress.h \
     progressmanager/progressmanager.h \
-    reaper.h \
-    reaper_p.h \
     icontext.h \
     icore.h \
     imode.h \
diff --git a/src/plugins/coreplugin/coreplugin.qbs b/src/plugins/coreplugin/coreplugin.qbs
index 3acda9e1a17..c88226fa320 100644
--- a/src/plugins/coreplugin/coreplugin.qbs
+++ b/src/plugins/coreplugin/coreplugin.qbs
@@ -144,9 +144,6 @@ Project {
                 "plugindialog.h",
                 "plugininstallwizard.cpp",
                 "plugininstallwizard.h",
-                "reaper.cpp",
-                "reaper.h",
-                "reaper_p.h",
                 "rightpane.cpp",
                 "rightpane.h",
                 "settingsdatabase.cpp",
diff --git a/src/plugins/coreplugin/locator/executefilter.cpp b/src/plugins/coreplugin/locator/executefilter.cpp
index 7d9a78b0637..7924b8a0053 100644
--- a/src/plugins/coreplugin/locator/executefilter.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/coreplugin/locator/executefilter.cpp
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@
 
 #include <coreplugin/icore.h>
 #include <coreplugin/messagemanager.h>
-#include <coreplugin/reaper.h>
 #include <utils/macroexpander.h>
 #include <utils/qtcassert.h>
 
@@ -199,12 +198,7 @@ void ExecuteFilter::removeProcess()
         return;
 
     m_taskQueue.dequeue();
-    m_process->disconnect();
-    if (m_process->state() == QProcess::NotRunning)
-        m_process->deleteLater();
-    else
-        Reaper::reap(m_process);
-
+    delete m_process;
     m_process = nullptr;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/plugins/coreplugin/locator/spotlightlocatorfilter.cpp b/src/plugins/coreplugin/locator/spotlightlocatorfilter.cpp
index 5c0f1195fe0..f3c25754d68 100644
--- a/src/plugins/coreplugin/locator/spotlightlocatorfilter.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/coreplugin/locator/spotlightlocatorfilter.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@
 #include "../messagemanager.h"
 
 #include <coreplugin/editormanager/editormanager.h>
-#include <coreplugin/reaper.h>
 #include <utils/algorithm.h>
 #include <utils/commandline.h>
 #include <utils/environment.h>
@@ -156,10 +155,7 @@ void SpotlightIterator::killProcess()
     QMutexLocker lock(&m_mutex);
     m_finished = true;
     m_waitForItems.wakeAll();
-    if (m_process->state() == QProcess::NotRunning)
-        m_process.reset();
-    else
-        Reaper::reap(m_process.release());
+    m_process.reset();
 }
 
 void SpotlightIterator::ensureNext()
diff --git a/src/plugins/coreplugin/reaper.h b/src/plugins/coreplugin/reaper.h
deleted file mode 100644
index 9ea61b219cf..00000000000
--- a/src/plugins/coreplugin/reaper.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,38 +0,0 @@
-/****************************************************************************
-**
-** Copyright (C) 2016 The Qt Company Ltd.
-** Contact: https://www.qt.io/licensing/
-**
-** This file is part of Qt Creator.
-**
-** Commercial License Usage
-** Licensees holding valid commercial Qt licenses may use this file in
-** accordance with the commercial license agreement provided with the
-** Software or, alternatively, in accordance with the terms contained in
-** a written agreement between you and The Qt Company. For licensing terms
-** and conditions see https://www.qt.io/terms-conditions. For further
-** information use the contact form at https://www.qt.io/contact-us.
-**
-** GNU General Public License Usage
-** Alternatively, this file may be used under the terms of the GNU
-** General Public License version 3 as published by the Free Software
-** Foundation with exceptions as appearing in the file LICENSE.GPL3-EXCEPT
-** included in the packaging of this file. Please review the following
-** information to ensure the GNU General Public License requirements will
-** be met: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html.
-**
-****************************************************************************/
-
-#pragma once
-
-#include "core_global.h"
-
-namespace Utils { class QtcProcess; }
-
-namespace Core {
-namespace Reaper {
-
-CORE_EXPORT void reap(Utils::QtcProcess *p, int timeoutMs = 500);
-
-} // namespace Reaper
-} // namespace Core
diff --git a/src/plugins/projectexplorer/abstractprocessstep.cpp b/src/plugins/projectexplorer/abstractprocessstep.cpp
index a460b118055..d29eecfe11e 100644
--- a/src/plugins/projectexplorer/abstractprocessstep.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/projectexplorer/abstractprocessstep.cpp
@@ -34,8 +34,6 @@
 #include "target.h"
 #include "task.h"
 
-#include <coreplugin/reaper.h>
-
 #include <utils/fileutils.h>
 #include <utils/outputformatter.h>
 #include <utils/qtcassert.h>
@@ -255,7 +253,7 @@ void AbstractProcessStep::setLowPriority()
 
 void AbstractProcessStep::doCancel()
 {
-    Core::Reaper::reap(d->m_process.release());
+    d->m_process.reset();
 }
 
 ProcessParameters *AbstractProcessStep::processParameters()
diff --git a/src/tools/processlauncher/CMakeLists.txt b/src/tools/processlauncher/CMakeLists.txt
index 8ad6f8636bf..f65bf11d989 100644
--- a/src/tools/processlauncher/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/tools/processlauncher/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@ add_qtc_executable(qtcreator_processlauncher
     processlauncher-main.cpp
     ${UTILSDIR}/launcherpackets.cpp
     ${UTILSDIR}/launcherpackets.h
+    ${UTILSDIR}/processreaper.cpp
+    ${UTILSDIR}/processreaper.h
     ${UTILSDIR}/processutils.cpp
     ${UTILSDIR}/processutils.h
+    ${UTILSDIR}/qtcassert.cpp
+    ${UTILSDIR}/qtcassert.h
     )
diff --git a/src/tools/processlauncher/launchersockethandler.cpp b/src/tools/processlauncher/launchersockethandler.cpp
index c342eb020bc..b29998856b2 100644
--- a/src/tools/processlauncher/launchersockethandler.cpp
+++ b/src/tools/processlauncher/launchersockethandler.cpp
@@ -26,12 +26,12 @@
 #include "launchersockethandler.h"
 
 #include "launcherlogging.h"
+#include "processreaper.h"
 #include "processutils.h"
 
 #include <QCoreApplication>
 #include <QLocalSocket>
 #include <QProcess>
-#include <QTimer>
 
 namespace Utils {
 namespace Internal {
@@ -41,43 +41,13 @@ class Process : public ProcessHelper
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
     Process(quintptr token, QObject *parent = nullptr) :
-        ProcessHelper(parent), m_token(token), m_stopTimer(new QTimer(this))
-    {
-        m_stopTimer->setSingleShot(true);
-        connect(m_stopTimer, &QTimer::timeout, this, &Process::cancel);
-    }
-
-    void cancel()
-    {
-        if (state() == QProcess::NotRunning) {
-            deleteLater();
-            return;
-        }
-        switch (m_stopState) {
-        case StopState::Inactive:
-            m_stopState = StopState::Terminating;
-            m_stopTimer->start(3000);
-            terminate();
-            break;
-        case StopState::Terminating:
-            m_stopState = StopState::Killing;
-            m_stopTimer->start(3000);
-            kill();
-            break;
-        case StopState::Killing:
-            m_stopState = StopState::Inactive;
-            deleteLater(); // TODO: employ something like Core::Reaper here
-            break;
-        }
-    }
+        ProcessHelper(parent), m_token(token) { }
 
     quintptr token() const { return m_token; }
     ProcessStartHandler *processStartHandler() { return &m_processStartHandler; }
 
 private:
     const quintptr m_token;
-    QTimer * const m_stopTimer;
-    enum class StopState { Inactive, Terminating, Killing } m_stopState = StopState::Inactive;
     ProcessStartHandler m_processStartHandler;
 };
 
@@ -97,7 +67,7 @@ LauncherSocketHandler::~LauncherSocketHandler()
         m_socket->close();
     }
     for (auto it = m_processes.cbegin(); it != m_processes.cend(); ++it)
-        it.value()->disconnect();
+        ProcessReaper::reap(it.value());
 }
 
 void LauncherSocketHandler::start()
@@ -269,13 +239,15 @@ void LauncherSocketHandler::handleStopPacket()
 {
     Process * const process = m_processes.value(m_packetParser.token());
     if (!process) {
-        logWarn("got stop request for unknown process");
+        // This can happen when the process finishes on its own at about the same time the client
+        // sends the request. In this case the process was already deleted.
+        logDebug("got stop request for unknown process");
         return;
     }
     if (process->state() == QProcess::NotRunning) {
-        // This can happen if the process finishes on its own at about the same time the client
-        // sends the request.
-        logDebug("got stop request when process was not running");
+        // This shouldn't happen, since as soon as process finishes or error occurrs
+        // the process is being removed.
+        logWarn("got stop request when process was not running");
     } else {
         // We got the client request to stop the starting / running process.
         // We report process exit to the client.
@@ -331,11 +303,7 @@ void LauncherSocketHandler::removeProcess(quintptr token)
 
     Process *process = it.value();
     m_processes.erase(it);
-    process->disconnect();
-    if (process->state() != QProcess::NotRunning)
-        process->cancel();
-    else
-        process->deleteLater();
+    ProcessReaper::reap(process);
 }
 
 Process *LauncherSocketHandler::senderProcess() const
diff --git a/src/tools/processlauncher/processlauncher-main.cpp b/src/tools/processlauncher/processlauncher-main.cpp
index 7dc4cefd986..c651a276cc5 100644
--- a/src/tools/processlauncher/processlauncher-main.cpp
+++ b/src/tools/processlauncher/processlauncher-main.cpp
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 
 #include "launcherlogging.h"
 #include "launchersockethandler.h"
+#include "processreaper.h"
 
 #include <QtCore/qcoreapplication.h>
 #include <QtCore/qtimer.h>
@@ -51,6 +52,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
         return 1;
     }
 
+    Utils::ProcessReaper processReaper;
     Utils::Internal::LauncherSocketHandler launcher(app.arguments().constLast());
     QTimer::singleShot(0, &launcher, &Utils::Internal::LauncherSocketHandler::start);
     return app.exec();
diff --git a/src/tools/processlauncher/processlauncher.pro b/src/tools/processlauncher/processlauncher.pro
index 69bfc5fc5e9..260e701e3c2 100644
--- a/src/tools/processlauncher/processlauncher.pro
+++ b/src/tools/processlauncher/processlauncher.pro
@@ -13,11 +13,15 @@ HEADERS += \
     launcherlogging.h \
     launchersockethandler.h \
     $$UTILS_DIR/launcherpackets.h \
-    $$UTILS_DIR/processutils.h
+    $$UTILS_DIR/processreaper.h \
+    $$UTILS_DIR/processutils.h \
+    $$UTILS_DIR/qtcassert.h
 
 SOURCES += \
     launcherlogging.cpp \
     launchersockethandler.cpp \
     processlauncher-main.cpp \
     $$UTILS_DIR/launcherpackets.cpp \
-    $$UTILS_DIR/processutils.cpp
+    $$UTILS_DIR/processreaper.cpp \
+    $$UTILS_DIR/processutils.cpp \
+    $$UTILS_DIR/qtcassert.cpp
diff --git a/src/tools/processlauncher/processlauncher.qbs b/src/tools/processlauncher/processlauncher.qbs
index 56c91f1520a..83cdbcad8a1 100644
--- a/src/tools/processlauncher/processlauncher.qbs
+++ b/src/tools/processlauncher/processlauncher.qbs
@@ -23,8 +23,12 @@ QtcTool {
         files: [
             "launcherpackets.cpp",
             "launcherpackets.h",
+            "processreaper.cpp",
+            "processreaper.h",
             "processutils.cpp",
             "processutils.h",
+            "qtcassert.cpp",
+            "qtcassert.h",
         ]
     }
 }
diff --git a/tests/auto/utils/qtcprocess/tst_qtcprocess.cpp b/tests/auto/utils/qtcprocess/tst_qtcprocess.cpp
index 3bfd404758a..a525db4154e 100644
--- a/tests/auto/utils/qtcprocess/tst_qtcprocess.cpp
+++ b/tests/auto/utils/qtcprocess/tst_qtcprocess.cpp
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 #include <utils/hostosinfo.h>
 #include <utils/launcherinterface.h>
 #include <utils/porting.h>
+#include <utils/processreaper.h>
 #include <utils/qtcprocess.h>
 #include <utils/stringutils.h>
 
@@ -203,6 +204,7 @@ private slots:
 private:
     void iteratorEditsHelper(OsType osType);
 
+    Utils::ProcessReaper processReaper;
     Environment envWindows;
     Environment envLinux;
 
diff --git a/tests/unit/unittest/unittests-main.cpp b/tests/unit/unittest/unittests-main.cpp
index 532d4961f5b..4d48f2c1dcc 100644
--- a/tests/unit/unittest/unittests-main.cpp
+++ b/tests/unit/unittest/unittests-main.cpp
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 
 #include <sqliteglobal.h>
 #include <utils/launcherinterface.h>
+#include <utils/processreaper.h>
 #include <utils/temporarydirectory.h>
 
 #include <QGuiApplication>
@@ -60,6 +61,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     Sqlite::Database::activateLogging();
 
     QGuiApplication application(argc, argv);
+    Utils::ProcessReaper processReaper;
     Utils::LauncherInterface::startLauncher(qApp->applicationDirPath() + '/'
                                             + QLatin1String(TEST_RELATIVE_LIBEXEC_PATH));
     auto cleanup = qScopeGuard([] { Utils::LauncherInterface::stopLauncher(); });